Milk Stage Kernel Infection Frequency in Kharif Sorghum at Grain Mold Prone Locations in India

Abstract

Milk stage kernel infection frequency has substantial effects on mold development in mature sorghum grain. Field experiments were conducted with 16 sorghum genotypes at four grain mold prone locations (Akola, Hyderabad, Dharwad and Surat) in India during kharif 2014 and 2015. The genotypes included grain mold susceptible, resistant, improved germplasm, breeding lines and released cultivars. The objective was to quantify natural infection frequency of fungi in milk stage kernel and study the response of various sorghum genotypes against this infection. Results revealed that Fusarium (16.1%) and Curvularia spp. (7.9%) were predominant fungal genera at the milk stage kernel at all the locations under study. Few other fungi namely Alternaria, Bipolaris, Aspergillus, and Penicillium spp. were detected sporadically in low frequency (~0.95%). There was significant negative association between infection frequency of Fusarium and Curvularia especially when intensity of infection was moderate to high (>25%). The genotypes B58586, GMR156-1, GMR166-1, SGMRN12-3-1 and IS25070 were found promising with low intensity (average total infection<10%) of infection across environments. The information can be useful for resistant breeding program against specific fungal component of grain mold.

Harnessing Sorghum Landraces to Breed High-Yielding, Grain Mold-Tolerant Cultivars With High Protein for Drought-Prone Environments

“…The wet weather condition following flowering is necessary for the grain mold development. The longer the duration of wetness on grain surface, the greater is the incidence of grain mold (Das et al, 2020 ). Photoperiod-sensitive cultivars that mature after the rains often escape grain mold infection (Patted et al, 2011 ).…”

“…Grain mold is one of the most important diseases in sorghum, which is caused by a complex of fungal species. The genera Fusarium, Curvularia , and Alternaria are mainly responsible for 80–90% of the infection in India (Das et al, 2020 ). Species of Bipolaris, Phoma, Drechslera, Exserohilum, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Olpitrichum, Gonatobotrytis , and Aspergillus are also detected sporadically in low frequency (Das et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The genera Fusarium, Curvularia , and Alternaria are mainly responsible for 80–90% of the infection in India (Das et al, 2020 ). Species of Bipolaris, Phoma, Drechslera, Exserohilum, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Olpitrichum, Gonatobotrytis , and Aspergillus are also detected sporadically in low frequency (Das et al, 2020 ). The disease can cause yield losses ranging from 30 to 100% depending on the cultivars and weather conditions (Kalaria et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Losses in seed weight, grain density, germination, and seed viability due to grain mold lead to a significant decline in seed quality parameters in the rainy season (Nida et al, 2019 ). Toxins and secondary metabolites produced by the fungi on infected grains render sorghum unfit for human consumption and for cattle and poultry feed (Das et al, 2020 ). Host-plant resistance is the most cost-effective, efficient, and eco-friendly management practice (Mofokeng et al, 2017 ).…”

Telangana Jonna 1(CSV 41): A High Yielding, Dual Purpose, Potential Sorghum Variety

“…It starts with infection at the time of anthesis and reaches its peak at grain maturity. Its adverse effects do not end at grain maturity and continues even after harvest and in storage [12]. Traditional plant breeding involves recombination and selection of genotypes with different genetic background (active gene banks, core collections and association panels) and depends on exploiting natural variation [13].…”