Abstract

                                The major biotic factor affecting sorghum production during its early growth period is the sorghum shoot fly (Atherigonna soccata Rond.). There are numerous ways to minimize yield losses from shoot fly attack but, it is necessary to develop the genetically resistant lines through marker-assisted breeding. The current study was carried out to screen the F3 generation developed from the cross K8 x IS 18551 for the major four sorghum shoot fly resistance QTLs in linkage groups SBI-05 and SBI-10. IS 18551 is used as a resistance source. The segregating population was subjected to genotyping. Foreground selection was carried out using SSR markers flanking the QTLs. As a result of Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), 5 plants with 4 QTLs and 37 plants with 3 QTLs, 22 plants with 2 QTLs and 32 plants with 1 QTL was identified by genotyping. From the component trait analysis, it has been evident that the plants with resistant QTLs recorded very less shoot fly infestation. The homozygous lines harbouring resistant QTL’s can be evaluated in yield trials and may also be useful in further breeding programmes for management of shoot fly in sorghum.

Key words : sorghum shoot fly, screening, foreground selection, MAS, SSR markers and resistant QTL’s.