Evaluating Grain Sorghum Hybrids for Yield and Feed Quality Under Romanian Drought Conditions

Romania’s maize sector is under pressure. Over the past three growing seasons, persistent drought has led to widespread crop failures, with yield losses reaching 100% in some regions. The national maize area has contracted from 2.5 million hectares in 2022 to under 1.5 million hectares in 2025. As farmers shift toward winter cereals for stability, the need for a resilient spring crop has become urgent—particularly one that can withstand increasing climatic volatility.

Sorghum is emerging as a strategic alternative. Its drought tolerance, feed value, and agronomic flexibility make it a promising candidate for integration into Romanian crop rotations. However, its adoption remains limited, and questions persist regarding hybrid performance under local agro-pedoclimatic conditions.

To address this, Alta Seeds, the premium brand of Advanta Seeds in Europe conducted a multi-location trial in 2024 to evaluate the yield potential and grain feed quality of seven grain sorghum hybrids. The study employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications across four distinct Romanian sites: Secuieni (NE), Iazu (SE), Bârlad (E), and Inand (W). 

The experiment included seven grain sorghum hybrids from Advanta Seeds, along with two hybrids from other company, which were used as checks for yield and maturity. 

Yield Performance and Adaptability

Grain yield was analysed using ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test. Results revealed significant genotype X environment interactions. Notably, ADV G2168 IG and Viper IG consistently demonstrated high and stable yields across all locations, indicating strong adaptability to Romania’s diverse agro-pedoclimatic zones. These hybrids showed resilience under moderate to severe drought stress, reinforcing their suitability for cultivation in water-limited environments.

Grain Quality for Animal Feed

Grain samples from Iazu were analyzed for feed quality parameters in a RENAR-accredited lab. Although statistical analysis was not performed, the results align with established literature:

• Crude Protein: 10.8%–12.5%, consistent with Sedghi et al. (2011).
• Metabolizable Energy (ME): 3.876–4.142 Kcal/kg, comparable to values reported by Bolarinwa & Adeola (2016).
• Starch Content: 56.6%–69.9% DM, with ADV G2168 IG approaching maize benchmarks under optimal moisture.

These findings support the nutritional equivalence of sorghum to maize in feed applications. The ability of sorghum to maintain starch accumulation under drought stress is particularly noteworthy, suggesting physiological traits conducive to feed energy retention.

Implications for Sorghum Expansion

The study of Alta Seeds provides compelling evidence for the broader adoption of sorghum in Romania:

1. ADV G2168 IG and Viper IG demonstrated high and stable yields, confirming their adaptability across varied agro-pedoclimatic conditions.
2. The nutritional quality of sorghum grain—particularly protein, ME, and starch—was consistent with global benchmarks, validating its use in animal feed systems.
3. Sorghum’s drought tolerance and agronomic performance position it as a viable spring crop alternative, capable of enhancing resilience in Romanian crop rotations.

Advanta Seeds remains committed to advancing sorghum genetics and agronomic solutions tailored to climate-challenged regions. This study marks a step forward in aligning hybrid performance with the evolving needs of Romanian agriculture. The products of Advanta Seeds known in EU as Alta Seeds has been successfully recognized in the EU region.

For more information : Acasă | AltaSeeds Romania