Abstract
Annually, Puerto Rico imports close to 220,000 t of feed grain from the United States and other countries at a cost of $16.0 million, for use as livestock and chicken feed. Previous studies have shown that sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] can be successfully grown in areas of the southern coast of Puerto Rico, all of which means an alternate crop and a way to reduce grain imports. Grain yield potentials of 10 hybrids of sorghum, including seven red and three white-seeded types, were evaluated at Juana Díaz on the south coast of the island.The test was planted 5 May 1993 and 23 May 1994 following a split-plot experimental design with three replications. Three rows were planted per plot. The middle row was used for yield and other agronomic trait evaluations. Mean grain yields of the test were 5,020 kg/ha. Top-yielding Cargilt Ma Cau 90 (6,240 kg/ha) significantly exceeded yields of all other hybrids except DK-65. Mean values of other agronomic characteristics were days to anthesis, 63.9; plant height, 150.4 cm; 100-seed weight, 3.44 g; harvest index, 31%. Only plant height was significantly and positively correlated with grain yield (r = 0.34). These high yield potentials have implications for lessening Puerto Rico's heavy dependence on imported feed grains.