Breeding for insect resistance in sorghum and millets

Abstract

Sorghum and millets are crucial to food, fodder, and nutritional security in arid and semiarid tracts of the world. Sorghum is vulnerable to several insect pests. Among them, shoot fly, spotted stem borer, greenbug, midge, and head bugs are the most important worldwide. The pearl millet and small millets are relatively less subjected to pest attack and are more susceptible to diseases though sporadic instances of insect attack are reported. However, stem borers and grain midge are of regular occurrence in pearl millet. White grubs in India and spike worms in West Africa are assuming importance. The chapter covers the resistance sources, resistance mechanisms, resistant traits, gene action governing the major traits, and biotechnological advances for the economically important pests in sorghum and millets. Several genotypes resistant to shoot fly and to a lesser extent to stem borer, midge, aphids, and shoot bug have been identified. Development of multiple pest- and disease-resistant cultivars is emphasized.