Assessment of genetic resistance in sorghum germplasm against charcoal rot under field conditions

Abstract

Charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is a major biotic constraint for rabi sorghum production. Total seventy-four genotypes were screened under field conditions to assess diseases resistance. Among the 74 genotypes, E 36-1 was the most resistant genotype with lowest disease incidence (11.53%), least stalk colonization (1.50 Mean Nodes Crossed, 7.70cm Mean Length of Spread, and the lowest Charcoal Rot Index (CRI) (9.23). Conversely, SPV 86 was found highly susceptible (CRI 43.00) genotype. Further, based on CRI, one resistant genotype (E 36-1) and 16 moderately resistant genotypes (including DSV 4 and Dagadi Solapur) were identified, while the remaining 56 genotypes were susceptible. These resistant and moderately resistant genotypes can be used as genetic resources for sorghum breeding programs aimed at improving charcoal rot tolerance.