Bird Damage and Tannin Content in Grain Sorghum Hybrids Under Different Environments

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the mutual relationships among bird damage, tannin content, seed color, and flowering date under several environments. Bird resistant and non-bird resistant grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] hybrids were evaluated. Hybrids which contained tannin had no bird damage. Bird damage was not significantly correlated with seed color but was significantly correlated with flowering date. The relationship between two environments for bird damage revealed a large variation with significant correlation coefficients. Response to environments for bird damage among non-bird resistant hybrids was different among hybrids. The brown-seeded non-bird resistant hybrids had no detectable tannin. Significant differences were found for tannin content among environments. Grain which developed under low fall temperatures (and exposed to frost) varied in tannin content among hybrids and within replications. Comparisons of two environments for tannin content howed a large variation with significant correlation coefficients in similar environments. Response to environments for tannin content was different among hybrids. It was concluded that the hybrids with the greatest bird resistance or high tannin content in one environment may not necessarily provide the best resistance or contain high tannin in another environment. © 1981, CROP SCIENCE SOCIETY OF JAPAN. All rights reserved.