Development of new germplasm in sorghum with desirable agronomic traits and resistance to shootfly, Atherigona soccata Rondani and stemborer, Chilo partellus(Swinhoe)

The released varieties and hybrids developed from Temperate x Tropical crosses, despite having high yield potential and other agronomic traits failed to express in full due to the attack of key pests of sorghum, viz., the shootfly, Atherigona soccata Rondani and stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe). To overcome ensuing problem large number of crosses by crossing intermediate derivative (in resistance) with intermediate derivative (in resistance) and resistant with intermediate derivative were made and evaluated against the two pests. Many new sources of resistance with desirable agronomic traits have been located in this newly developed germplasm.