Evaluation of agronomic characteristics of sweet sorghum by gray relational grade analysis in coastal region in Jiangsu Province

In order to comprehensively evaluate agronomic characteristics of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in coastal soil in Jiangsu Province, 19 varieties of sweet sorghum were analyzed by gray relational grade involved in emergence rate, growth period, fresh to dry ratio, sugar brix, plant height, stem diameter, 1 000grain weigh, lodging rate, fresh forage yield and grain yield. The results showed that Zhongke 4 was the best variety with the highest weighted relational grade (0.831) and the excellent characteristics of good emergence, partial early maturity, high yield, lodging resistance and adaptability. The weighted relational grades of NJ003 was 0.779 and that of SN009 was 0.747 which occupied the second and third place, respectively. The evaluation results were essentially identical with the field performance of the tested varieties. Therefore, the comprehensive evaluation provided a scientific evidence for sweet sorghum breeding in the region.