Introduction:
Sorghum is considered a minor crop in Switzerland (400 ha cultivated in 2024). Nevertheless, sorghum holds considerable potential for climate-resilient cropping systems and alternative food products. With its high drought tolerance and gluten-free grain, sorghum offers potential for more sustainable cropping systems in targeted regions and new food applications. To enhance its economic appeal, the RiSorgo project evaluates the agronomic performance of commercially available European grain sorghum varieties under Swiss conditions and their suitability for pasta production. In addition, thirty accessions from the ICRISAT breeding program were observed to capture a broader genetic diversity beyond European germplasm.
Methods:
Fifteen grain sorghum varieties from four different breeding programs were tested in small plot trials in the Southern Switzerland (Cadenazzo, 2024 and 2025) and North of the Alps (Zurich, 2025). Evaluated agronomic traits were early vigour, tillering, lodging, panicle numbers, plant height, panicle emergence and yield. ICRISAT accessions were thoroughly described in both sites in 2025 using single-row plots.
Results:
Preliminary results indicate considerable variability among varieties for the agronomic traits at the different sites and years. All European varieties reached maturity and average water content at harvest was 27 ± 6 %. Mean overall yield was 46 ± 27 dt ha⁻¹, with some varieties showing promising performance under Swiss conditions. All ICRISAT accessions reached maturity, exhibiting considerable variability in phenological and agronomic traits. Grain quality analyses are ongoing.
Conclusion:
Preliminary results show the potential of grain sorghum as a locally produced, gluten-free raw material in Switzerland. However, variety choice remains a critical factor, as performance varied considerably across locations and years. The planned continuation of field trials in 2026, along with the analysis of processing characteristics and pasta quality will provide a more robust basis for evaluating the value of cultivation and use (VCU) of sorghum varieties from field to fork.