Diversity within the Guinea race of sorghums was characterized for major agronomic traits.  Tremendous genetic variability was found within each region (Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and Asia) for maturity, panicle architecture and seed characteristics.  This information supports efforts to exploit genetic variability within the Guinea race that accounts for 70% of sorghum races in West Africa and more than 50% in the African continent.

Hybrid female parents (A-lines) were developed with Guinea-race landrace accessions and pedigree breeding lines.  The newly available A-lines provide the first opportunity to explore sorghum hybrids appropriate for the majority of West African sorghum producers.

Initial information on heterosis within the Guinea-race of sorghum was obtained from the first ever Guinea-race hybrid trials conducted in Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria in 2002.  First year results from Mali and Burkina Faso showed large significant mean heterosis for grain yield (+98% and +118%), biomass (+17% and +69%), and number of grains per panicle (+80% and +80%).  Significant heterosis occurred with specific male parents from every region studied (Western, Central, Eastern, Southern and Africa; and Asia).