Componential analysis of plant morphological factors associated with sorghum resistance to shoot fly Atherigona soccata Rondani

Investigation on the "Componential analysis of plant morphological factors associated with sorghum resistance to shoot fly Arlterigona soccara Rondani," was carried out at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India during kharif '96. The effect of morphological factors on shoot fly resistance was studied by considering thiny genotypes having a varied breeding background. The morphological factors viz., mesocotyl length, seedling vigor, glossy score, 4" leaf parameters (length, width and drooping depth), trichomes on 5" leaf (abaxial and adaxial surfaces) and leaf surface wetness (LSW) were studied in relation to shoot fly parameters (egg count and deadheart per cent). Seedling vigor, glossy score and shoot fly parameters were studied under field conditions in two sowings during kharif '96. Mesocotyl length, leaf parameters, trichomes on the leaf surface and leaf surface wetness were studied under laboratory conditions. The data obtained was analyzed for mean performance of individual genotypes, and groups of genotypes for various factors and the study of correlations and inter-relationships of various morphological factors on shoot fly resistance parameters using path coefficient analysis. The mean performance of all the genotypes across the morphological traits studied for shoot fly resistance indicated that shoot fly resistant sources (IS 1054, IS 1057. and IS 18551) and Bred resistant B lines (SPSFR 94001 B. SPSFR 94003 B. SPSFR 94031 B, SPSFPR 94002 B and SPSFF'R 94005 B had desirable morphological features which resulted in lower deadheart per cent. Genotypes IS 18551, ICSV 705, SPSFR 94031, and SPSFPR 94005 B performed consistently in both the sowings and were found to be most resistant to shoot fly, of all the genotypes studied