Genetic male sterility is an important tool that permits the recurrent selection methods developed and used so successfully for maize to be applied to other crops. A breeding system utilizing recurrent selection has been initiated at Serere for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench.) using Coes male sterility (ms3). A detailed description ofthis breeding system is given including the compositing of the two breeding populations, the recurrent selection method used, and the subsequent development of hybrid varieties using the cytoplasmic male‐sterility and restorers.

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Screening sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) varieties for seedling resistance to the sorghum shoot fly (Atherigona varia, Meigen) gave inconsistent results, and “recovery resistance” (tolerance) proved a better character. When levels of pest attack were high, infestation levels exceeded 90%, indicating that there was little worthwhile seedling resistance in the sorghums being tested. In contrast, good recovery resistance was shown by the cultivars ‘Serena’ and ‘Namatare,’ and more than 70% of the infested plants recovered and yielded normally. Recovery resistance was associated with good yield from tillers, and heritability was fairly high. ‘Namatare’ proved a successful parent, and grain sorghums with a combination of good shoot fly recovery resistance and yield were developed from crosses between Namatare and susceptible sorghums.