Context. Well-organised leaf architecture produces compact canopies and allows for greater sunlight penetration, higher photosynthetic rates, and thus greater yields. Breeding for enhanced leaf architecture of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), a key food source in semi-arid regions, benefits its overall production.

Aims. The study focuses on selecting useful genotypes with excellent leaf architecture for grain sorghum improvement.

Methods. In total, 185 sorghum genotypes were subjected to multi-environment trials. Leaf flagging-point length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf angle and leaf orientation value (LOV) were characterised under field conditions. Genotype + genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis was used to identify the most stable genotypes with the highest LOV.

Key results. Statistical analysis showed significant effects of genotype × environment interaction (P < 0.001), and high broad-sense heritability for the traits. Correlation analysis demonstrated negative correlations (P < 0.001) between LOV and its components. Singular value decomposition of LOVs in the first two principal components explained 89.19% of the total variation. GGE biplot analysis identified G55 as the ideotype with the highest and most stable LOV.

Conclusions. Leaf architecture optimisation should be given greater attention. This study has identified a genotype with optimal and stable leaf architecture, laying the foundation for improvement in breeding to increase overall yields of sorghum.

Implications. Genotype G55 can be utilised as a parent with other parents that display economically important characteristics in breeding programs to produce offspring that can be planted densely to increase population yields. Genotypes identified with loose leaf architecture are useful in dissecting genes controlling leaf architecture by crossing with G55 to construct genetic mapping populations.