Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has proved to be an effective and efficient genetic tool in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) hybrid breeding programs. The A₁ (milo cytoplasm) CMS type has been widely exploited to produce both commercial grain and forage sorghum hybrids. To explore the possibility of using alternative CMS (non-milo cytoplasm) sources, we studied the effect of cytoplasm on forage yield and quality in sorghum. Nine female (CMS) lines (representing three each in A₁, A₂, and A₃ cytoplasms) and five male lines were used to generate 45 hybrids, which were evaluated in three environments. Cytoplasm and its first-order interaction with location and male and female lines showed the presence of a cytoplasmic effect on the majority of fodder yield and quality traits examined. The CMS lines possessing A₃ cytoplasm (A₃N213 and A₃N193) were good combiners for important fodder yield and quality traits. For hydrocyanic acid, the CMS lines possessing A₁ cytoplasm were good combiners. Mean performance of hybrids and combining ability analysis of parents revealed that A₃ cytoplasm can be used along with the widely used A₁ cytoplasm, which helps in the diversification of the male sterile base of forage sorghum hybrids.