Nutritional quality in grain sorghums: variability for protein, lysine and leucine

A study of variability for protein, lysine and leucine in representative germplasm collections, hybrids and cross derivatives revealed that the opaque types of fractions were marginally superior over translucent endosperm forms. The generally negative relationship between protein per cent and lysine per cent was confirmed in all plump endosperm types examined. None of them were comparable in lysine content to the shrivelled Ethiopian lines. The plump seeded types, dwarf white milo and saffra , seem to combine moderately high levels of protein and lysine with desired leucine: lysine rato. Dwarf white milo is comparable or even slightly superior to "P 721" and deserves further attention.