Working Document Series Open Access 2016 RUF-37473

Response of sorghum genotypes to anthracnose and Turcicum leaf blight

M. A. AbdelbagiNafisa Elmahi AhmedBeshir Mayada M.P. OkoriP. Rubaihayo

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Abstract

140 words

The absence of cultivars with dual disease levels of resistance justifies the search for genotypes with diseases resistance genes in sorghum breeding programs. In this study, four field and two greenhouse experiments were carried out in sorghum growing regions of Sudan and Uganda to evaluate resistance to Colletotrichum sublineolum, causing anthracnose, and Exserohilum turcicum, causing Turcicum leaf blight. The genotype main effects and genotype x environment interaction effects (GGE) biplot analysis showed that Wad Medani in Sudan and Kabanyolo in Uganda were ideal sites for selecting for resistance to dual infection of anthracnose and Turcicum leaf blight as both sites had concomitant infection of both fungi. Combined analysis across multi-environment showed that cultivar Jesu 91-104DL, KARI mtama and Epuripuri had resistance to both pathogens across environments and were identified as new sources for dual diseases resistance to the two pathogens.