The sorghum crop is believed to have first been cultivated in Africa, it is grown primarily as a food, feed source, and also as staple food source in many countries, particularly in arid regions of the world. The three main foliar pathogens viz., Zonate leaf spot, Anthracnose, and Gray leaf spot, it infects foliage, stalk, panicle, grain and cause severe yield losses in quantity as well as the quality of both grain and straw (fodder). The most effective and environmentally responsible strategy to control these pathogens by incorporation of resistance genes. The best method of control is the use of resistant varieties which is economically feasible and has no residual effect. Fifty-four varieties were evaluated against these three foliar pathogens, to characterize the host responses. PC-4 and Rampur local varieties are highly susceptible to these three pathogens, UTFS-109 is resistant to Anthracnose and Gray leaf spot but susceptible to Zonate leaf spot, CSV-21F is moderately susceptible to Anthracnose and Gray leaf spot, and UTMC-543×PC-7, moderately susceptible to Zonate leaf spot but susceptible to Anthracnose and Gray leaf spot diseases. Out of fifty-four varieties, none of the varieties are resistant to Zonate leaf spot but few varieties are resistant to Anthracnose and Gray leaf spot diseases. Since, Tarai region of Uttarakhand is a hot spot for foliar diseases viz., zonate leaf spot, anthracnose and Gray leaf spot, this study was conducted to screen the varieties/lines showing multiple resistance.

Zonate, Anthracnose, Gray leaf spot, screening, sorghum

The present study shows, among fifty-four varieties PC-4 and Rampur local are highly susceptible to all three pathogens, UTFS-109 showed resistance to Anthracnose and Gray leaf spot but susceptible to Zonate leaf spot, CSV-21F is moderately susceptible to Anthracnose and Gray leaf spot and UTMC-543×PC-7 was moderately susceptible to Zonate leaf spot but susceptible to Anthracnose and Gray leaf spot diseases. Out of fifty-four varieties, none of the varieties show resistance against Zonate leaf spot but some varieties showed resistance against Anthracnose and Gray leaf spot diseases.

Banothu Chandrashekar, Yogendra Singh and B.K. Namriboi (2022). Varietal Screening of Sorghum against Gloeocercospora sorghi, Colletotrichum graminicola and Cercospora sorghi. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(3): 1672-1677.