Abstract: The genotypes of grain characters of some commonly used R and B(A)lines have been estimated based on visual observation.The results were linked with the results of tannin analysis in an integrated study.It has been found that the presence of testa in sorghum grain did not necessarily lead to high content of tannin.Purple testa as well as dark pericarp alone bring about little tannin(polyphenols)content.Two subgroups have been proposed to further divide the three groups of sorghum grain and certain criteria of sorghum grain characters have been suggested for breeding program,which is supposed to open up new avenues to solve the contradiction between grain quality breeding and bird,insect and disease resistant breeding.

Key words: Sorghum, Tannin, Pericarp, Testa, Grain quality breeding