Sorghum Shoot Fly Research Articles

Innovative Strategies for Controlling Sorghum Shoot Fly: Seed Treatments and Botanical Insecticides

Aim: To assess the efficacy of various treatments for managing sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata Rondani, and their effects on plant vigour, growth, yield, and Incremental Cost-Benefit Ratio (ICBR). Study Design: A field experiment with a Randomized Block Design, involving three replications and nine treatments. Place and Duration of Study: Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (29.1492° N, 75.7217° E), during the Kharif season of 2020. Methodology: Sorghum variety Swarna was sown in August 2020. Treatments included Imidacloprid 70WS, Thiamethoxam 30FS, Neem oil, Karanj oil, and their combinations. Treatments were applied at 7 and 17 days after emergence. Data on plant stand, egg counts, dead hearts (%), plant height, green fodder yield, and ICBR were analyzed. Results: Thiamethoxam 30FS @ 10ml/kg + neem oil @ 2% showed the best performance, significantly reducing shoot fly infestation (19.98%) and enhancing plant vigour (1.00), height (86.93 cm), and yield (309.60 q/ha). Neem oil @ 2% was more effective than Karanj oil @ 2%. Imidacloprid 70WS had the highest Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio (ICBR) (1:21), while Karanj oil @ 2% had the lowest (1:0.78). Conclusion: Thiamethoxam 30FS @ 10ml/kg + neem oil @ 2% was the most effective for managing shoot fly and improving crop performance. Imidacloprid 70WS offered the highest economic benefit, indicating its cost-effectiveness in pest management.

Effect of abiotic factors on seasonal incidence of sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata (Rondani)

Effect of abiotic factors on seasonal incidence of sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata (Rondani)

Effect of date of sowing and weather factors on infestation of Atherigona soccata (Rondani) and yield parameters of forage sorghum

Ecofriendly strategies for the management of sorghum shoot fly, helps in addressing the Atherigona soccataissues related to insecticides load on forage crop. The present study was carried out to know the suitable date of sowing on damage indices of sorghum shoot fly and green fodder yield in sorghum. The staggered sowing technique at a different time intervals was used, starting from 2 fortnight of March (12 SMW) to 1 fortnight of ndthstJuly (27 SMW). Oviposition in terms of eggs per 10 plants and dead heart percentage was recorded to be low thin 18 SMW (1 fortnight of May) sown crop (eggs: 6.66 and dead heart: 25.46%), but it was found to be highest thstin 1 fortnight of July (27 SMW) sown crop (eggs: 21.95 and dead heart: 65.45%). The correlation of shoot fly stthinfestation in relation to weather parameters revealed that egg load and dead hearts were negatively correlated with maximum temperature and positively correlated with minimum temperature, relative humidity and rain fall. Green fodder yield was recorded to be highest and lowest for the crop sown on 18 SMW (409 q/ha) and 27 ththSMW (302 q/ha), respectively. The study indicated that 1 fortnight of May was the best time to escape from the stsorghum shoot fly attack.

Prevalence, Cultural And Morphological Characterization Of Fusarium Verticillioides Associated With Ear Rot Of Maize

Sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata (Rondani) is an important pest of sorghum distributed in almost all sorghum growing areas of India, attacking the crop at the seedling stage wherein the absence of appropriate management measures may result in heavy yield loss and host plant resistance is a major component in managing this pest. Utilization of resistance as a control strategy has very much practical relevance and hence identification of resistant sources for shootfly through morphological and physicochemical characteristics was carried out in pre-release sorghum genotypes of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Leaf glossiness, trichome density, trichome length, trichome width, and seedling vigor were associated with resistance and had a major bearing on the expression of resistance to shoot fly. Among the genotypes tested, TNS 671 and TNS 665 showed better performance in terms of dead heart, percentage of plants with eggs, and recovery resistance compared to others which were then subjected to biochemical estimation and GCMS analysis. Leaf biochemical characters viz., total phenol, cellulose, total amino acids, silica, tannin, and lignin were found to be negatively correlated and total sugar positively correlated with resistance. GC-MSanalysis of the sorghum genotypes revealedthe presence of compounds, viz., carboxylic acids, heptadecene, and hentriacontane only in the resistant entry, IS18551. An interesting finding of this study was the presence of hentriacontanein resistant cultivar, IS18551 which is reported to have kairomonal activity. The characters associated with resistance or susceptibility can be used in further resistant breeding programmes.

Morphological And Biochemical Resistance In Sorghum Genotypes Against Sorghum Shoot Fly, Atherigona Soccata (Rondani) (Muscidae: Diptera)

Sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata (Rondani) is an important pest of sorghum distributed in almost all sorghum growing areas of India, attacking the crop at the seedling stage wherein the absence of appropriate management measures may result in heavy yield loss and host plant resistance is a major component in managing this pest. Utilization of resistance as a control strategy has very much practical relevance and hence identification of resistant sources for shootfly through morphological and physicochemical characteristics was carried out in pre-release sorghum genotypes of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Leaf glossiness, trichome density, trichome length, trichome width, and seedling vigor were associated with resistance and had a major bearing on the expression of resistance to shoot fly. Among the genotypes tested, TNS 671 and TNS 665 showed better performance in terms of dead heart, percentage of plants with eggs, and recovery resistance compared to others which were then subjected to biochemical estimation and GCMS analysis. Leaf biochemical characters viz., total phenol, cellulose, total amino acids, silica, tannin, and lignin were found to be negatively correlated and total sugar positively correlated with resistance. GC-MSanalysis of the sorghum genotypes revealedthe presence of compounds, viz., carboxylic acids, heptadecene, and hentriacontane only in the resistant entry, IS18551. An interesting finding of this study was the presence of hentriacontanein resistant cultivar, IS18551 which is reported to have kairomonal activity. The characters associated with resistance or susceptibility can be used in further resistant breeding programmes.

Bulk Segregant Analysis for the Identification of Shoot Fly Resistance Linked Molecular Marker in Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is one of the most important crops in the semi-arid regions of the world. One of the important biotic constraints to sorghum production in India is the shoot fly which attacks sorghum at the seedling stage. The study was undertaken during 2021–22 at the Centre for Millets Research, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Deesa, Gujarat, India to assess linked molecular markers for sorghum shoot fly resistance using the bulk segregant analysis (BSA) method with simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker from developed F2 mapping population with two genetically diverse parental lines, SWARNA (susceptible to shoot fly) and IS 18551 (resistant to shoot fly). Sixty-five SSRs primers pair were used for the parental polymorphism survey using two contrasting parents to detect the primers exhibiting polymorphism. Eight out of sixty-five primers showed polymorphism (12.30%) between two contrasting parental lines in sorghum. Two out of eight polymorphic SSRs primer pairs i.e., Xtxp 67 and Xgap 88 were found polymorphic between resistance and susceptibility in parents and bulks and thus reported to be putatively linked with shoot fly. Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was extended to identify the traits controlled by minor genes with additive effects, which increased the power and efficiency of this molecular technique to construct genetic map in the sorghum crop improvement program. The identified SSRs markers i.e., Xtxp 67 and Xgap 88 might be useful to screen resistance for shoot fly infestation in future sorghum improvement program.

Efficacy of Insecticide Based Seed Treatments with Neem Seed Extract Sprays against Sorghum Shoot Fly <i>Atherigona soccata</i> in Sorghum

This study was carried out under field conditions at the Sorghum Research Unit, Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during kharif 2020 to ascertain the effect of neem seed extract sprays along with seed treatments against sorghum shoot fly Atherigona soccata (Rondani). The counts of deadhearts in % at 21 and 28 days after emergence (DAE) varied significantly with the treatment schedule- least values of 13.15 and 15.22%, respectively were observed in seed treatment with imidacloprid 48FS @ 12 ml/ kg seed followed by quinalphos 25EC @ 2 ml/ l water spray 15 DAE. The next best treatments were viz., seed treatment with imidacloprid 30FS @ 12 ml/ kg seed with 13.68 and 16.29% deadhearts, respectively; it was followed by seed treatment with thiamethoxam 48FS @ 12 ml/ kg seed. Maximum grain yield (32.33 q/ ha) was observed with seed treatment with imidacloprid 48FS @ 12 ml/ kg followed by quinalphos 25EC @ 2 ml/ l water spray at 15 DAE. Maximum incremental cost and benefit ratio (ICBR) was obtained with seed treatment of thiamethoxam 30FS @ 12 ml/ kg with 1:96.68. Neem seed extract-based treatment schedules viz., NSE 5 % spray 7 DAE, treatment schedule NSE 5 % spray 7 and 11 DAE, treatment schedule NSE 5 % spray 7, 11 and 14 DAE and treatment schedule NSE 5 % spray 7 and 18 DAE gave less ICBR values.

Damage Potential and Management of Sorghum Shoot Fly Atherigona soccata on Sorghum with Seed Treatment

A field experiment conducted at the sorghum research field, College of Agriculture, Indore Madhya Pradesh during kharif 2019-20 evaluated six seed dressing chemicals along with soil application of carbofuran against shoot fly Atherigona soccata (Rondani). Significantly least deadheart (1.36 to 15.95%) was observed with thiamethoxam+ cyantraniliprole followed by thiamethoxam 30FS (1.61 to 21.76%). Soil application of carbofuran resulted in less efficacy (2.96 to 38.21%). The mean yield obtained was 29.13 q/ha in protected plots as against 16.20 q/ha in unprotected plots. Mean deadheart incidence was 11.59% in protected plots and 58.23% in unprotected plots. The avoidable loss in term of deadheart was recorded to be 80.10%.

Bio-efficacy of newer molecules as seed treatment against sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata Rondani infesting sorghum

The field experiment was conducted to evaluate the bio-efficacy of different insecticides as seed treatment against sorghum shoot fly (Atherigona soccata Rondani). The various treatment used were seed treatment with Imidacloprid 70 WS, Fipronil 5 SC, Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, Thiamethoxam 30 FS, Thiamethoxam (19.8 w/w) + Cyantraniliprole (19.8 w/w), Soil application of Carbofuran 3G, and untreated control. Among the various insecticides Thiamethoxam 30 FS was found most effective against sorghum shoot fly and recorded minimum mean per cent oviposition at 12 DAG and dead heart at 28 DAE (42.96 and 39.45%; 20.0 and 10.1%); and gave maximum reduction over control (29.9 and 46.7%) during both the years, respectively. All the treatments were superior to the control and reduction over control ranged from 17.4 to 46.7 per cent.

Seed treatment with thiamethoxam 30 fs is suitable for the management of sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata (rondani) in sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L)

Seed treatment with thiamethoxam 30 fs is suitable for the management of sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata (rondani) in sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L)

Morpho-physiological traits and leaf surface chemicals as markers conferring resistance to sorghum shoot fly (Atherigona soccata Rondani)

Sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata,causes substantial economic losses in sorghum globally. Cultural practices and host plant resistance are effective measures for mitigating the losses caused by sorghum shoot fly. Therefore, we evaluated 32 sorghum genotypes consisting of a set of 10 restorer lines, 10 CMS (cytoplasmic male-sterile) lines and their respective maintainers exhibiting resistance/susceptibility to shoot fly along with resistant and susceptible checks under field conditions. The traits such as leaf glossiness, leaf sheath pigmentation, percentage plants with shoot fly deadhearts and number of shoot fly eggs per plant were used as morphological markers for selecting genotypes with resistance to shoot fly during the rainy and post rainy seasons of 2016 and 2017. The test material was also subjected to biochemical analysis (total soluble sugars, protein and tannin contents), while the leaf surface chemicals were analysed by GC–MS to identify the compounds associated with resistance/susceptibility to shoot fly. The genotypes differed significantly for all the traits, except percentage plants with shoot fly deadhearts during the 2016 rainy season. The genotypes ICSB 458, ICSA/B 467, ICSA/B 487, ICSA/B 14037, IS 18551 and ICSV 93046 exhibited moderate to high levels of resistance to shoot fly based on number of plants with shoot fly deadhearts, plants with shoot fly eggs and total number of shoot fly eggs. The shoot fly resistant genotypes ICSB 84, ICSA/B 467, ICSB 487, ICSB 14024, and IS 18551 had low shoot fly deadheart incidence, higher amounts of condensed tannins, soluble sugars, phenols and lower protein content as compared to the susceptible genotypes. Thirteen unique compounds were identified from leaf surface extracts by GC–MS which were associated with shoot fly resistance/susceptibility. While HPLC analysis revealed that Protocatechuic and coumaric acids were present in most of the sorghum genotypes, but their amounts were significantly greater in resistant as compared to the susceptible ones. The findings of the study highlight the importance of various morphological and biochemical traits conferring resistance to sorghum shoot fly, and these traits can be used as markers to identify shoot fly resistant genotypes for use in breeding programs.

Sustainable management of shoot fly in sorghum: A comprehensive review

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (Linnaeus)] also known as Jowar is an important food and fodder crop of dryland agriculture with wide range of adaptability to various agro-ecological conditions in the semi-arid tropics and cultivated on marginal, fragile, and drought-prone environments. Sorghum is attacked by around 150 insect pest damage from seedling stage to maturity, of which sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata (Rondani) is a notorius pest which is responsible for causing a loss of 80–90% of grain, and 68% of fodder yield in sorghum due to its regular occurrence. To manage pest problem, farmers still rely on pesticides use, but excessive use of chemical has resulted many problems. Hence, integration of all these approaches in a unified manner has exposed more good results for eco-friendly management of shoot fly and consequently high yield of sorghum obtained.

Climate change and its impact on insect-pest incidence of dry land crops in the scarcity zone of Maharashtra state

The recent impact of climate change influencing insect-pest incidence in important dry land crops revealed that incidence of insect-pests during last decade viz., sorghum shoot fly (5-13% dead hearts), stem borer (2-10% dead hearts), delphacids (4-5 to 12-15 Nos./ shoot/plant) increased, respectively. Sunflower bud necrosis was increased from 4-5% to 9-10% whereas on safflower the occurrence of three new emerging pests viz., leaf eating caterpillar, stem borer and stem fly was also noticed to the extent of 15-18% infestation. Castor semi-looper and capsule borer were increased respectively @ 3-6 larvae/leaf/plant to 9-10 larvae/leaf/plant and 8-10% capsule damage to 12-15% capsule damage. The congenial climate condition required for the survival and development of sorghum shoot fly is min. 22 0C and max. 37 0C temp., RH-I 44% and RH-II 93%, stem borer min. 19 0C and max. 36 0C temp., RH-I 38% and RH-II 94%, delphacids min. 18 0C and max. 30 0C temp., RH-I 35% and RH-II 75%, safflower aphid min. 10 0C and max. 28 0C temp., RH-I 40% and RH-II 60%, safflower caterpillar min. 19 0C and max. 33 0C temp., RH-I 50% and RH-II 80%, chickpea pod borer min. 20 0C and max. 35 0C temp. with cloudy and hot weather, sunflower bihar hairy caterpillar min. 22 0C and max. 34 0C temp, pigeon pea pod borer min. 30 0C and max. 33 0C temp. and castor semi-looper min. 22 0C and max. 35 0C temp., RH-I 50% and RH-II 73%.

Screening for sorghum shoot fly (Atherigonna soccata Rond.) resistance QTL’s in F2:3 generation of the cross K8 x IS 18551 in sorghum

The major biotic factor affecting sorghum production during its early growth period is the sorghum shoot fly (Atherigonna soccata Rond.). There are numerous ways to minimize yield losses from shoot fly attack but, it is necessary to develop the genetically resistant lines through marker-assisted breeding. The current study was carried out to screen the F3 generation developed from the cross K8 x IS 18551 for the major four sorghum shoot fly resistance QTLs in linkage groups SBI-05 and SBI-10. IS 18551 is used as a resistance source. The segregating population was subjected to genotyping. Foreground selection was carried out using SSR markers flanking the QTLs. As a result of Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), 5 plants with 4 QTLs and 37 plants with 3 QTLs, 22 plants with 2 QTLs and 32 plants with 1 QTL was identified by genotyping. From the component trait analysis, it has been evident that the plants with resistant QTLs recorded very less shoot fly infestation. The homozygous lines harbouring resistant QTL’s can be evaluated in yield trials and may also be useful in further breeding programmes for management of shoot fly in sorghum.

Pattern of genetic inheritance of morphological and agronomic traits of sorghum associated with resistance to sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata

Sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata is an important pest of sorghum during the seedling stage, which influences both fodder and grain yield. To understand the nature of inheritance of shoot fly resistance in sorghum, we performed generation mean analysis using two crosses IS 18551 × Swarna and M 35-1 × ICSV 700 during the 2013–2014 cropping seasons. The F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 progenies, along with the parental lines were evaluated for agronomic and morphological traits associated with resistance/susceptibility to sorghum shoot fly, A. soccata. The cross IS 18551 × Swarna exhibited significant differences between the parents for shoot fly deadhearts (%) in the postrainy season. The progenies of this cross exhibited lower shoot fly damage, suggesting that at least one of the parents should have genes for resistance to develop shoot fly-resistant hybrids. Leaf glossiness, leafsheath pigmentation and plant vigor score during the seedling stage exhibited non-allelic gene interactions with dominant gene action, whereas 100 seed weight showed both additive and dominant gene interactions. Presence of awns showed recessive nature of the awned gene. Generation mean analysis suggested that both additive and dominance gene effects were important for most of the traits evaluated in this study, but dominance had a more pronounced effect.

Inheritance of Resistance to Sorghum Shoot Fly, Atherigona soccata in Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.

Sorghum production is affected by a wide array of biotic constraints, of which sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata is the most important pest, which severely damages the sorghum crop during the seedling stage. Host plant resistance is one of the major components to control sorghum shoot fly, A. soccata. To understand the nature of gene action for inheritance of shoot fly resistance, we evaluated 10 parents, 45 F1's and their reciprocals in replicated trials during the rainy and postrainy seasons. The genotypes ICSV 700, Phule Anuradha, ICSV 25019, PS 35805, IS 2123, IS 2146, and IS 18551 exhibited resistance to shoot fly damage across seasons. Crosses between susceptible parents were preferred for egg laying by the shoot fly females, resulting in a susceptible reaction. ICSV 700, ICSV 25019, PS 35805, IS 2123, IS 2146, and IS 18551 exhibited significant and negative general combining ability (gca) effects for oviposition, deadheart incidence, and overall resistance score. The plant morphological traits associated with expression of resistance/susceptibility to shoot fly damage such as leaf glossiness, plant vigor, and leafsheath pigmentation also showed significant gca effects by these genotypes, suggesting the potential for use as a selection criterion to breed for resistance to shoot fly, A. soccata. ICSV 700, Phule Anuradha, IS 2146 and IS 18551 with significant positive gca effects for trichome density can also be utilized in improving sorghums for shoot fly resistance. The parents involved in hybrids with negative specific combining ability (sca) effects for shoot fly resistance traits can be used in developing sorghum hybrids with adaptation to postrainy season. The significant reciprocal effects of combining abilities for oviposition, leaf glossy score and trichome density suggested the influence of cytoplasmic factors in inheritance of shoot fly resistance. Higher values of variance due to specific combining ability (σ2s), dominance variance (σ2d), and lower predictability ratios than the variance due to general combining ability (σ2g) and additive variance (σ2a) for shoot fly resistance traits indicated the predominance of dominance type of gene action, whereas trichome density, leaf glossy score, and plant vigor score with high σ2g, additive variance, predictability ratio, and the ratio of general combining ability to the specific combining ability showed predominance of additive type of gene action indicating importance of heterosis breeding followed by simple selection in breeding shoot fly-resistant sorghums. Most of the traits exhibited high broadsense heritability, indicating high inheritance of shoot fly resistance traits.

Management of sorghum shoot fly under farmers’ condition in bundelkhand

Management of sorghum shoot fly under farmers’ condition in bundelkhand

Components of resistance to sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata

Sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata is one of the major constraints in sorghum production, and host plant resistance is one of the components to control sorghum shoot fly. Thirty sorghum genotypes were evaluated for different mechanisms of resistance and morphological and agronomic traits during the rainy and postrainy seasons. The sorghum genotypes, Maulee, Phule Anuradha, M 35-1, CSV 18R, IS 2312, Giddi Maldandi, and RVRT 3 suffered lower shoot fly damage, and also exhibited high grain yield potential during the postrainy season. ICSB 433, ICSV 700, ICSV 25019, ICSV 25022, ICSV 25026, ICSV 25039, PS 35805, Akola Kranti, and IS 18551 exhibited antixenosis for oviposition and antibiosis against sorghum shoot fly, A. soccata. Leaf glossiness, plant vigor, leafsheath pigmentation and trichomes were associated with resistance/susceptibility to shoot fly. Path coefficient analysis indicated that direct effects and correlation coefficients of leaf glossiness, plant vigor, plant height, plant color and trichomes were in the same direction, suggesting that these traits can be used to select sorghum genotypes for resistance to shoot fly. Principal co-ordinate analysis based on shoot fly resistance traits and morphological traits placed the test genotypes into different groups. The genotypes placed in different groups can be used to increase the levels and broaden the genetic base of resistance to shoot fly. The environmental coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation for shoot fly resistance and morphological traits were quite high, indicating season specific expression of resistance to sorghum shoot fly. High broadsense heritability, genetic advance and genotypic coefficient of variation suggested the predominance of additive nature of genes controlling shoot fly resistance, suggesting that pedigree breeding can be used to transfer shoot fly resistance into high yielding cultivars. This information will be useful for developing shoot fly-resistant high yielding cultivars for sustainable crop production.

Evaluation of Indian Popular Varieties and Validation of Integrated Pest Management Strategies Against Major Pests of Sorghum

Sorghum shoot fly (Atherigona soccata Rondani), Stem borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe), Head bug (Calocoris angustatus Lethiery) and midge (Contarinia sorghicola Coquillett) are the most important pests of sorghum in southern region of Tamil Nadu. The results on the field evaluation of popular varieties of sorghum over three years (post rainy or winter 2010–2012) revealed that DSV-4 and CSV-216R for shoot fly, DSV-4, Maulee, CSV-15, K-8, Phule Anuradha and M 35-1 for stem borer, Maulee and K-8 for midge were found to be more resistant and promising. In validation of IPM practices seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 WS @ 3 g/kg of seed + spray of metasystox @ 0.07 % or NSKE @ 5 % at 45 DAE, intercropping with cowpea (4:1)+ seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 WS @ 3 g/kg of seed were effective in reducing the attack of above pests. Intercropping with cowpea (4:1)+ imidacloprid 70 WS @ 3 g/kg of seed was the most effective and recorded the highest ICBR (1:25).

Statistical relationship between date of sowing and the sorghum shootfly (Atherigona Soccata, Rondani L)

The present study was based on the available data of eleven years for shoot fly from 2000-2010 for kharif season. Different models viz., linear and non linear were tried to fit, Amongst, the linear, quadratic and cubic models produced better coefficient of determination and the models viz., EGG(Shoot fly Egg) =3.760+0.196(DOS) (R2 =0.892) and EGG(Shoot fly Egg) =1.077+1.195(DOS)-0.087(DOS^2), which produced highest R2 (0.896 at p=0.05) with less standard error (0.419) and quadratic model was also the best fit model in determining the oviposition of shoot fly, which explained 89.6 per cent variation in the oviposition of shoot fly for the 7 days after emergence of the sorghum crop. For the dead heart development (14 DAE), the model %DH (% Dead Heart) =3.535+3.104(DOS) found best fit with highest coefficient of determination of 0. 856 and exhibited significant positive relationship with the date of sowing and during 21 DAE the cubic model %DH (% Dead Heart) =10.619+10.115(DOS)-3.466(DOS^2)+0 .321(DOS ^3) had significant coefficient of determination value of 0.988 with least standard error 0.885. The quadratic model during the 28 days after emergence of the crop %DH (% Dead Heart) =-6.234+22.858(DOS) -1.399 (DOS^2) found best fit and produced significant R2 (0.929 at 5 per cent level) and showed better relationship with the date of sowing. It was found that, both linear and non linear relationship exists between dates of sowing and shoot fly of sorghum during kharif season.