TITLE:
Evaluation of the Agronomic Performance of Different Sorghum Varieties at the Inran Experimental Station of Bengou (Gaya Department)
AUTHORS:
Yahaya Aissata Mamadou, Hamma Kailou Illiassou, Ardaly Abdou Ousseini, Zakari Moussa Ousmane
KEYWORDS:
Sorghum, Adaptability, Agronomic Performance, Agro-Ecological Zones, Gaya
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Resources,
Vol.17 No.1,
January
26,
2026
ABSTRACT: In Niger, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) ranking second most widely cultivated cereal after millet plays a dominant role in agricultural production systems. It is a staple food for millions of people but productivity levels remain relatively low in smallholder farming areas. The study was conducted at the INRAN experimental station in Bengou (3˚33′25″ and 11˚59′44″) and evaluated the agronomic performance of twenty-four (24) sorghum varieties from different West African countries in order to identify the best adapted varieties to the agro-ecological conditions of Niger and to evaluate the response of different varieties to major production constraints, including low soil fertility, pest pressure, diseases and low rainfall. The trial was conducted using a randomized incomplete block design with three replications. The analysis showed that some varieties exhibited better productivity than the control. Phenological results revealed that several varieties were significantly earlier maturing than the control. In terms of disease resistance, the majority of varieties proved highly resistant to anthracnose and sorghum stripe. The varieties TEMOIN 1, MDK, and BC110-19 exhibited the greatest heights, and TEMOIN 1 stood out for its high dry biomass, highlighting its forage potential. Some varieties, such as MDK, SASSILON, ICSB 176003, 014-SB-EPDU-1004, and SOUBATIMI, obtained the best grain yields, exceeding those of the control. These results highlight the existing agronomic diversity between varieties and their potential to meet production needs under Niger’s agro-ecological conditions.