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Analysis of resistance to Striga hermonthica in diallel crosses of sorghum

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Relation http://oar.icrisat.org/4329/
http://dx.doi.org/DOI: 10.1023/A:1004046001009
 
Title Analysis of resistance to Striga hermonthica in diallel crosses of sorghum
 
Creator Haussmann, B I G
Hess, D E
Reddy, B V S
Welz, H G
Geiger, H H
 
Subject Sorghum
 
Description Parasitic flowering weeds of the genus Striga are major biotic constraints to sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.)
Moench) production in sub-Saharan Africa. The agar-gel assay was used to evaluate stimulation of Striga hermonthica
(Del.) Benth. seed germination by a complete F1 diallel involving nine sorghum cultivars and inbred
lines. Striga populations from Mali and Niger were employed. The same genetic materials were planted in pot trials
in both countries to observe striga plant emergence. Variation in hybrid performance was determined by general
(GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects, with preponderance of GCA, for both germination distance in
the agar-gel assay and number of emerged striga. Reciprocal effects were significant only in the agar-gel assay and
were unstable across striga populations. For lines and hybrids, estimates of broad-sense heritabilities were 0.97 and
0.91 for germination distance, and 0.38 and 0.58 for emerged striga, respectively. Only a weak positive relationship
existed between in vitro germination distance and emerged striga number in the pot trial. Although selection for low
germination distance has merit, valuable material with resistance mechanisms other than low stimulant production
may be lost if these traits are not additionally assessed. Laboratory assays which allow a non-destructive, quick
and economical screening for resistance mechanisms other than the low stimulant character are likely to increase
the efficiency of breeding programs for striga resistance. The significant contribution of SCA effects indicates that
thorough screening of testcrosses is indispensable for selection in hybrid sorghum breeding programs.
 
Publisher Kluwer
 
Date 2000
 
Type Article
PeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
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Identifier http://oar.icrisat.org/4329/1/Analysis_of_resistance_to_Striga_hermonthica_in_diallel_crosses_of_sorghum.pdf
Haussmann, B I G and Hess, D E and Reddy, B V S and Welz, H G and Geiger, H H (2000) Analysis of resistance to Striga hermonthica in diallel crosses of sorghum. Euphytica, 116 (1). pp. 33-40.