Identification of suitable private and public bred kharif sorghum hybrids for a particular region is a major step in the plant breeding programme.  Therefore the present investigation was under taken to identify promising private and public bred kharif  sorghum  hybrids suitable for Northern Transitional Zone of Karnataka State.  The experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2001 and 2002 under rainfed conditions.  Genetic variability existed for different characters was observed.  The private bred hybrids Bio seed -7707, MRS-4094, MSH-51 and public bred hybrids CSH-14, CSH-17 were found to be promising for both grain and fodder yield.  The public bred hybrids were superior with regard to 1000 grain weight and shoot fly dead heart per cent than the private bred hybrids.