EVALUATION OF AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES PROMOTING RESISTANCE OF SORGHUM ACCESSIONS TO SORGHUM GRAIN MOULD (SGM)

Sorghum grain mould (SGM) caused by Fusarium verticillioides is a biotic constraint affecting sorghum productivity. Identification of agro-morphological features promoting resistance to SGM offer the basis for the development of resistant varieties which are reliable, efficient and sustainable. This study aims to assess agro-morphological features promoting resistance of sorghum accessions to sorghum grain mould (SGM). Sorghum accessions arranged in randomized complete block design were inoculated with F. verticillioides at 1×106 spores/ml and data collected were: panicle grain mould score (PGS), threshed grain mould score (TGS), panicle type, days to 50% flowering, glume colour, grain colour, endosperm nature, percentage germination, seed weight, grain density and plant height. The result showed accessions NGB01909 and NG/AO/APR/09/0003 with white coloured grain were highly susceptible at PGS and TGS. Loose panicle type, late to time to 50% flowering, red glume, reddish grain colour, corneous endosperm and high grain density conferred resistance of accessions to SGM. Accessions NGB01890 and NG/SA/JAN/09/0138 are moderately resistant with agro-morphological features which could be exploited in breeding for resistance to SGM.