TITLE:
Canopy Light Interception of a Conventional and an Erect Leafed Sorghum
AUTHORS:
Dennis C. Gitz III, Zhanguo Xin, Jeffrey T. Baker, Robert J. Lascano, John J. Burke
KEYWORDS:
Sorghum, Erectophile, Mutant, Erect Leaf
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.6 No.16,
October
21,
2015
ABSTRACT: Two sorghum lines, an erect leafed mutant sorghum and the wild type from which the mutant was
generated, were field grown in rectilinear arrays at low (10 plants m-2) and high (23 plants m-2)
population densities. Canopy light interception, biomass accretion and yield were measured. Photosynthetically
active radiation under the canopy at ground level and midway through the canopy
were higher in the erect leafed line, as compared to the normal leafed line. Planting density had
less effect on mean grain yield and biomass in the erect leaf line than in the wild type. Though not
conclusive, when taken together, the results suggested that optimal planting densities are higher
for the erect leaf line and that the erect leaf trait could be useful for incorporation into breeding
programs.