Genetic Analysis of Striga Resistance in Sorghum Parameters of Resistance

Nature of gene action in striga resistance was studied in a 7×7 diallel involving four resistant, N-13, CSV-8R, S-1841 and CSV-5, and three susceptible sorghum lines, CK-60B, 2077B, and 2219B. Field resistance to striga parasite was measured as percentage of striga incidence, striga dry weight, and striga height index. The resistantXsusceptible crosses and their reciprocals had intermediate resistance, loth additive and nonadditive genes govern the inheritance of resistance with predominance of additive genes. The maternal effects were significant only for striga dry weight under low fertility and for striga height index under high fertility. The parental lines CSV-5, S-1841 and N-13 showing low incidence of striga were found to be good general combiners for striga resistance.