Effect of genotype and environment on flavonoid concentration and profile of black sorghum grains

In recent years, colored sorghum genotypes high in flavonoids have been developed. Flavonoid levels of eight black sorghum genotypes grown in four locations in Texas were evaluated to assess the relative genotype, environment and genotype x environment effects. Levels of total 3-deoxyanthocyanidins ranged from 292 mu g/g to 499 mu g/g and 251 mu g/g to 804 mu g/g across environments and genotypes, respectively. Total 3-deoxyanthocyanidins in sorghums from Halfway were low (178-694 mu g/g) due to the reduction of their non-methoxylated forms. This reduction is likely due to significant grain weathering which was observed only at Halfway. In addition, flavanone and flavone levels were the lowest at Halfway with levels of 12 mu g/g and 78 mu g/g, respectively. For all flavonoids there was a genotype by environment interaction (p < 0.01) which suggests that environment had a different effect on flavonoid levels depending on the genotype. Color values L*, a* and B* did not correlate with flavonoid content. Due to genotype, environment and their interactions, sorghum breeders must evaluate these traits in multiple environments to identify genotypes with high and stable production of flavonoid compounds. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.