Screening of Bio Energy Sweet Sorghum Genotypes for their Resistance to Shoot Fly Atherigona soccata (Rondani) Under Field Condition

Investigation was carried out in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to identify the genotypes of the sweet sorghum resistant to shoot fly. Fifty sweet sorghum genotypes obtained from Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics, TNAU, Coimbatore were screened during September-October peak season for shoot fly incidence. The screening trial showed results of the resistance of genotype GR 278 to shoot fly with minimum dead heart (7.6%) damage as against the result of the susceptible genotype SO5 209 with had maximum dead heart damage of (53.6). Regarding the biometric parameters, tall plants and broad leaves were found to negatively influence the incidence of shoot fly in the culture GR 278 and negatively influence the susceptible reaction of the genotype SO5 209. Which regards minimum of plant height and leaf width. Regression analysis of shoot fly damage with plant height and leaf width also showed negative association. Similarly, high total soluble sugar and chlorophyll content had positive relationship with shoot fly damage contributing to the susceptibility of SO5 209 and resistance of GR 278.