Screening Sorghum Breeding Lines for Identification of Resistance Sources for Multiple Fungal Diseases

Sorghum is a dual purpose crop; both grain and fodder are highly valued for human and animal consumption respectively. However, the crop is vulnerable for many fungal diseases of which downy mildew, rust and grain moldshave become major concern in Dharwad district of North Karnataka revealing impact on sorghum yield. New and alternate sources of host plant resistance are needed for successful management of these diseases. Host plant resistance is the best practice to enable the crop to tolerate diseases which aid in increasing yield. This study aimed to identify the resistant sources against these foliar diseases. About hundred sorghum entries were evaluated under natural unprotected conditions for three continuous years by providing feasible environmental conditions for respective pathogen growth in order to identify resistant sources for downy mildew, rust and grain mold diseases. The incidence of the downy mildew disease was recorded followed by grade for estimation of reaction to downy mildew. However, rust (top four leaves will be considered) and grain mold disease severity was scored using the disease severity rating scale i.e., 1-9 scale at physiological maturity. Among the different entries evaluated, some of the entries viz., SVD-1621, SVD–1503Kand SVD–1411Kshowed multiple disease resistance with reaction varied from resistant to moderately resistant to sorghum downy mildew, rust and grain mold.