Abstract:

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is the third most important cereal food crop in Uganda. However, the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica severely constraints its production. The use of Striga resistant sorghum varieties may be one of the most feasible ways of managing the Striga problem. A series of studies were carried out with the overall objective to develop new sorghum genotypes that are resistant to Striga and high yielding in Eastern Uganda. Initially, a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was carried out with the main objectives to study the current constraints faced by farmers in sorghum production and determine their preferences for new sorghum varieties. Secondly, fifty different African sorghum accessions were evaluated to determine phenotypic and genotypic variability for Striga resistance and identify suitable parents to be used in breeding for new Striga resistant and high yielding sorghum genotypes. Thirdly, a genetics study was conducted to determine gene action responsible for Striga resistance and sorghum yield in new sorghum genotypes. Finally, laboratory studies were carried out to identify specific mechanisms of Striga resistance available in new sorghum genotypes and their parents. During the PRA, Striga was identified as the main constraint limiting sorghum production in Eastern Uganda, followed by insect pests. Farmers indicated preference for red gain sorghum with erect and compact heads, a plant height of 1.5m and a maturity period of around three months, as well as Striga resistance and drought tolerance. From farmers' own assessments, the individual field surveys and soil seed bank analyses that were carried out, the degree of Striga infestation in farmers’ fields was found to be high. Both phenotypic and genotypic factors contributed significantly to the variability observed among the African sorghum accessions with respect to Striga resistance and sorghum crop performance indicating that Striga resistance can be improved through selection. However, techniques that minimise environmental effects need to be employed in order to improve on heritability. The values for genetic coefficient of variation (GCV) and genetic advance (GA) indicated that genetic gain for Striga resistance could be achieved by selection based on area under Striga severity progress curve (AUSVPC), area under Striga number progress curve (AUSNPC) and individual Striga emergence counts. The sorghum accessions SRN39, Brhan, Framida, Gubiye, Wahi, P9407 and N13 were found to be resistant to Striga hermonthica.