Field Screening of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Inbred Lines for Resistance to Striga [Striga hermonthica (Del.)] in East Hararghe, Ethiopia

Zeleke Legesse

doi:10.7176/fsqm/105-01

Abstract

Drought and the obligate Striga root parasite are two of the most important constraints to sorghum production in the northern and north eastern parts of Ethiopia. This study assessed the field reaction of selected advanced lines under Striga hermonthica infestation condition. Twenty-two sorghum genotypes with two resistant checks (Gobiye and SRN-39) and one susceptible check (Teshale) were evaluated under Striga hot spot area at Fadis Agricultural Research Center, Boko research station (Ethiopia) in the 2016 season using a 5x5 triple lattice design. During the field experiment, 11 parameters were measured among which Striga count emerged on each genotype was the indicator of resistance genotypes. Genotypes differed significantly in all measured parameters in their reactions to Striga. Genotypes 2006 MW 6044, ETSC 300003, ETSC 300081, 05 MW 6019, and ETSC 300080 showed Striga resistance in the field. Thus, these genotypes were the most promising sources of resistance to S. hermonthica. From field experiments, it could be suggested that genetic variability for resistance and tolerance is available in a range of genotypes, which could be used for future breeding and production in Striga infested areas. Keywords: genotypes, germination stimulant, parasitic weed, resistant, screening techniques DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/105-01 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Highlights

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is the fifth most important grain crop globally after maize, wheat, rice, and barley (FAO, 2015)
The tested genotypes showed highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) variation on days to 50% flowering, Striga count at flowering and maturity, plant height, panicle length, days to maturity, grain yield, above ground biomass and thousand seed weight
Generally, even though the season was not conducive for maximum Striga emergence in the field, the significant variation were observed among the genotypes studied and it is suggested that the continuation of the experiments using the promising lines would confirm their resistance

Summary

Introduction

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is the fifth most important grain crop globally after maize, wheat, rice, and barley (FAO, 2015) It is the most important staple food crop for more than 500 million people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, in semi-arid tropical regions where drought is the major limitation to food production (Ejeta, 2005). Sorghum is cultivated in almost all regions, covering a total land area of 1.86 million hectares and grown mainly in dry-lands and semi-arid areas of Ethiopia where drought and poor harvests are common. It is considered as the principal crop providing means of survival (CSA, 2016)

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Conclusion