Occurrence of the sorghum midge (Stenodiplosis sorghicola, Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), development cycle and resistance of different sorghum lines in Senegal

Abstract

Sorghum grain is generally used as food, feed or in agri-food industries in Senegal. Despite this importance, the yield remains low with gaps of more than 1 t.ha-1 compared to potentials of registered varieties. Several sorghum production limiting factors included sorghum midge. To manage this pest and reduce damage, various management methods are used. This study aimed at determining the occurrence of the midge and the duration of sorghum development of tested lines in relation to their resistance. The experiments were done during the cropping seasons of 2016 and 2017 where sorghum midge are abundant at Roff on the western side of the Senegalese Groundnut Basin. Sorghum midges began emerging in October and peaked in mid-November. Time to 50% flowering varied from 56 to 75 days. Severity of damage by midge scored between 3 and 7 for all lines. Three lines were moderately resistant to sorghum midge.