Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012 (India).
A new sorghum variety Pusa chari-121 (PC-121) was developed from PC 7xCSV-1 through pedigree selection. It is endowed with good agronomic attributes, better yield and moderate level of resistance to shootfly (Atherigona soccata Rondani) under multilocation trials. This variety responded well to carrier based inoculants, Azotobacfer, Azospirillum and fermented residue by showing improvement in agronomic parameters, viz, green fodder yield, cane yield, and total soluble sugars. Seed inoculation with Azospirillum significantly reduced the formation of dead-hearts due to shootfly. Azotobacter with fermented residue was the next best treatment in reducing shootfly dead-hearts. Azosplrillum with enormous potential for fixing atmospheric nitrogen not only facilitated in reducing the dosages of chemical fertilizer but also showed great promise in reducing the dead-heart formation by shootfly.
