Field Crop 2025, Vol.8, No.2, 51-60 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 51 Research Insight Open Access Enhancing Heterosis in Sorghum Using Male Sterile Lines Kaiwen Liang Agri-Products Application Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resouces, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: kaiwen.liang@hitar.org Field Crop, 2025, Vol.8, No.2 doi: 10.5376/fc.2025.08.0006 Received: 14 Jan., 2025 Accepted: 18 Feb., 2025 Published: 01 Mar., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Liang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liang K.W., 2025, Enhancing heterosis in sorghum using male sterile lines, Field Crop, 8(2): 51-60 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2025.08.0006) Abstract This study aims to enhance heterosis in sorghum by utilizing male sterile lines, including the evaluation of the combining ability and heterosis of various sorghum lines, to identify hybrids that exhibit superior performance in terms of grain yield, biomass production, and other agronomic traits. The study revealed significant genotype, location, and genotype ×location interaction effects for most traits, indicating mixed performances of the tested genotypes, which allows for further selection. Both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were significant for most traits, including grain yield and anthracnose resistance, suggesting the involvement of both additive and non-additive gene actions. Hybrids derived from cytoplasmic male sterile lines exhibited higher brix, greater stalk yield, and higher sugar content compared to their male-fertile counterparts. Additionally, hybrids showed significant positive heterosis for grain Fe and Zn concentrations, which is crucial for biofortification efforts. The study identified several high-GCA effect germplasm, such as AMP418, AMP431, AMP434, AMP443, AMP495, AMP496, and the male line X097, which hold promise for accelerating the genetic improvement of sorghum for dual-purpose use. The findings underscore the potential of using male sterile lines to enhance heterosis in sorghum. The identified superior hybrids and parental lines can be utilized in breeding programs to improve grain yield, biomass production, and nutritional quality, thereby contributing to food security and biofuel production. Keywords Sorghum; Heterosis; Male sterile lines; Combining ability; Grain yield; Biomass; Biofortification; Cytoplasmic male sterility 1 Introduction Heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor, is a phenomenon where hybrid offspring exhibit superior traits compared to their parents. This includes increased yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance, making it a critical component in crop improvement strategies. The genetic basis of heterosis involves complex interactions such as dominance, overdominance, and epistasis, which contribute to the enhanced performance of hybrids (Fujimoto et al., 2018; Hochholdinger and Baldauf, 2018; Paril et al., 2023). The development of high-yielding hybrid cultivars is essential to meet the growing global food demands, especially in the face of challenges posed by climate change and limited arable land (Chen et al., 2020; Paril et al., 2023). Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a vital cereal crop, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. It is the fifth most important cereal crop globally, providing food, fodder, and biofuel. Sorghum's resilience to harsh environmental conditions, such as drought and high temperatures, makes it a crucial crop for food security in many developing countries. Its versatility and adaptability have led to its widespread cultivation across Africa, Asia, and the Americas (Li et al., 2015; Hashimoto et al., 2021). The production of hybrid seeds relies heavily on the use of male sterile lines, which prevent self-pollination and facilitate cross-pollination. Male sterility can be induced through genetic or cytoplasmic means, and it is a valuable tool in hybrid breeding programs. The use of male sterile lines simplifies the hybrid seed production process, ensuring the purity and uniformity of the hybrid seeds. This is particularly important in crops like sorghum, where hybrid vigor can significantly enhance yield and other agronomic traits (Li et al., 2015; Chen et al., 2020). This study hopes to develop high-yielding and resilient sorghum hybrids by leveraging the genetic mechanisms of heterosis and employing advanced breeding techniques. It will focus on identifying and combining genes
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