Abstract
Sorghum is one of the most important cereal crops widely grown for food, feed, fodder/forage, and fuel in the semi-arid tropics of Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia. The global sorghum areas remained static as the increased area in Africa compensated the area loss in Asia. In spite of rapid decline in sorghum area in Asia due to competition from other remunerative crops, sorghum grain production levels have not declined at the same rate owing to adoption of high yielding hybrids. Though impressive gains have been made in improving productivity levels, biotic and abiotic challenges such as shoot fly, stem borer, grain molds, and terminal drought stress continue to haunt the sorghum growers across the world. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the respec-tive national programs are working on genetic enhancement of sorghum for high yield; shoot fly, and grain mold resis-tance, and sweet stalk traits. In addition, research focus at ICRISAT also includes adaptation to postrainy season, ter-minal drought tolerance, and increasing micronutrient contents (Fe and Zn) in grain. Genetic and cytoplasmic diversi-fication of hybrid parents and varieties for key traits are critical for sustaining the productivity gains. The grain and stover quality requirements of different market segments needs special attention in sorghum improvement research to enhance its market value. This paper analyses the progress made in sorghum improvement research at ICRISAT in partnership with national programs in recent years and the way forward.
Highlights
Sorghum is fifth most important cereal crop globally and is the dietary staple of more than 500 million people in 30 countries
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the respective national programs are working on genetic enhancement of sorghum for high yield; shoot fly, and grain mold resistance, and sweet stalk traits
Africa and India account for the largest share (> 70%) of global sorghum area whileUSA, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Sudan and Ethiopia are the major sorghum producers
Summary
Sorghum is fifth most important cereal crop globally and is the dietary staple of more than 500 million people in 30 countries. Sorghum improvement research program at ICRISATPatancheru, India over the years developed more than 680 A-/B-pairs and more than 880 R-lines which were trait specific [high yield, large grain, biotic stress resistance (shoot fly, midge and grain mold) and abiotic stress tolerance (drought and salinity), grain micronutrient (Fe and Zn) density and sweet stalk traits] for use as parents in hybrid development [14]. Considering the restoration frequency, hybrid performance and comparable A1 and A2 CMS effects for grain yield and resistance to shoot fly and grain mold, it is advantageous to use A2 CMS system for developing hybrid parents, among the alternate cytoplasms available This increases the cytoplasmic diversity but reduces the possibility of epidemics occurrence when a single source of cytoplasm is used. The grain yield potential of some of the improved Blines (A2) was significantly higher than the control 296B (Table 3)
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