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Evaluation of selected Ethiopian sorghum genotypes for resistance to anthracnose

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Abstract

Sorghum anthracnose caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum sublineolum, is one of the most economically important diseases of sorghum globally and in Ethiopia. Breeding for resistance to this highly variable pathogen requires identification of new sources of resistance. Here we describe the identification of new sources of anthracnose resistance from a field-based screening of 225 landrace genotypes of sorghum collected from different parts of Ethiopia. Field trials were conducted at Assosa and Bako Agricultural research centres under natural infection to evaluate anthracnose resistance. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in mean square due to environment, genotype and genotype by environment interactions (P ≤ 0.01) for leaf anthracnose disease relative AUDPC. Most genotypes from Western Ethiopia, a region known for high rain fall and high anthracnose disease incidence, displayed resistance reactions. Disease severity index and AUDPC showed negative correlation with agronomic, yield and yield related traits. Cluster analysis based on disease parameters suggested that accessions from neighbouring regions shared strong similarity. Seven genotypes at Bako and five genotypes at Assosa showed moderate resistance. Anthracnose resistance and better yield performance across locations were observed for three genotypes. These materials will be important for genetic studies to determine genetic control of resistance and for resistance breeding.

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Acknowledgements

The first author acknowledges graduate study scholarship opportunity offered by Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) and Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (OARI). We acknowledge the national sorghum improvement program staff at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center (MARC) and cereal technology generation team staff members of both Bako and Assosa Agricultural Research Centers who handled and contributed to the field trial from planting to harvesting.

Funding

This study is made possible through funding by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sorghum and Millet through grants from American People provided to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under cooperative agreement No. AID-OAA-A-13-00047. The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bako Agricultural Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, P. O. Box 03, Bako, Ethiopia

    Kebede Dessalegn

  2. Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 81265, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Dagnachew Lule

  3. School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia

    Firew Mekbib

  4. Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, 915 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Habte Nida, Gezahegn Girma & Tesfaye Mengiste

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  1. Kebede Dessalegn
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  2. Dagnachew Lule
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  3. Habte Nida
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  4. Firew Mekbib
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  5. Gezahegn Girma
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  6. Tesfaye Mengiste
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Correspondence to Tesfaye Mengiste.

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Dessalegn, K., Lule, D., Nida, H. et al. Evaluation of selected Ethiopian sorghum genotypes for resistance to anthracnose. Eur J Plant Pathol 162, 79–91 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-021-02386-6

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