The introduction of sorghum hybrids in the 1960’s enabled sorghum as a seed crop to be a profitable option for private seed companies as well as give growers the opportunity to add more value to their farming enterprises. The first hybrids grown were adequate; however it was apparent after a time that hybrids more adapted to Australian conditions were required. This was the birth of company specific breeding programs and the hunt for germplasm had begun.
Breeding material needed to be sourced to be able to introduce the defensive traits needed like drought resistance, lodging resistance, midge resistance and disease resistance. A good percentage of this germplasm with the desired traits was sourced from public programs in Australia and overseas. These traits then had to be adequately tested in hybrid combinations to ensure the seed company was delivering value to the farm gate. This value also extended to producing good quality seed, free from contaminations and of high germination.
As the private sector breeding programs evolved so did the technologies that could be used to capture these traits and increase the timing of improvements. It is the responsibility of the private sector breeding programs to capture as much benefit from the tools and the germplasm available and direct that into hybrids that will increase the viability and profitability of farming enterprises.