Evaluation of Selected Sorghum Lines and Hybrids for Resistance to Grain Mold and Long Smut Fungi in Senegal, West Africa

Abstract

Grain mold in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a major problem worldwide. Damage caused by this fungal disease complex includes a reduction in yield (loss of seed mass), grain density, and germination. Long smut is another important fungal disease in sorghum and is a threat to food security in West Africa. Studies identifying potential sources of resistance for these two diseases in Senegal are limited. The objective of this research was to assess the vulnerability of selected breeding lines and hybrids from the United States to grain mold and long smut in two locations in 2009 and 2010. Four sorghum lines (Sureno, RTx2911, SC719-11E, and IS18760) and four hybrids (Sorghum Partners NK6638, Asgrow A571, AN600 × RN610, and Pioneer 83G19) exhibited low grain mold severity at both locations. The cultivars 3694 and SC748-5 and one hybrid, Novartis 2030/C, were resistant to long smut infection at both locations. Lines BTx623 and RTx430 were found to be highly susceptible to long smut, and therefore the available commercial sorghum hybrids involving these two parental lines' genetic backgrounds are likely to be vulnerable to long smut. There are no differential responses between lines and hybrids for both grain mold and long smut disease severity. None of the lines or hybrids showed resistance to both diseases.Accepted for publication 6 March 2014. Published 20 June 2014.This study was designed to compare the selected sorghum lines and hybrids from the United States that differed in susceptibility and to identify potential sources for grain mold and long smut resistance at two locations in two growing seasons (2009 and 2010) in Senegal.