Field Screening of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Inbred Lines for Resistance to Striga [Striga hermonthica (Del.)] in East Hararghe, Ethiopia

Drought and the obligate Striga root parasite are two of the most important constraints to sorghum production in the northern and north eastern parts of Ethiopia. This study assessed the field reaction of selected advanced lines under Striga hermonthica infestation condition. Twenty-two sorghum genotypes with two resistant checks (Gobiye and SRN-39) and one susceptible check (Teshale) were evaluated under Striga hot spot area at Fadis Agricultural Research Center, Boko research station (Ethiopia) in the 2016 season using a 5x5 triple lattice design. During the field experiment, 11 parameters were measured among which Striga count emerged on each genotype was the indicator of resistance genotypes. Genotypes differed significantly in all measured parameters in their reactions to Striga. Genotypes 2006 MW 6044, ETSC 300003, ETSC 300081, 05 MW 6019, and ETSC 300080 showed Striga resistance in the field. Thus, these genotypes were the most promising sources of resistance to S. hermonthica. From field experiments, it could be suggested that genetic variability for resistance and tolerance is available in a range of genotypes, which could be used for future breeding and production in Striga infested areas.