Selection of resistance sources in breeding material of pearl millet against the shootfly, Alherigona approximata M. alloch

One hundred germplasms of each of hybrids and pure lines were screened against the shootfly, Atlterigona approximata Malloch to loeat:sources of resistance. Two hybrids, viz, 23A x J104 and 23D₂A x J 104-4L showed less than 10 per cent damage against the shootfly as compared to maximum 66.5 per Cep idamage in male line of hybrid 23D₂A x J 128 J. In general, male lines of different hybrids showed more damage as compared to femrrle lines. Out of 100 hybrids, 8 were selected on the basis of their agronomic traits and resistance. Amongst the 8 hybrids, the Seedling damage due to shootfly ranged from 9.6 to 24.3 per cent. In 100 pure line selections (CUP Numbers), CUP No 49 recorded the minimum damage (3.4%) due to shoofly. CUP Nos. 15, 19, 21, 29 and 41 were other promising pure line selections endowed with desired agronomic traits and resistance to shoofly (less than 10% damage). These promising selections need to be exploited for developing resistant cultivars with suitable agronomic traits.