Title: Introgression of Striga resistance gene into Sudanese Sorghum Variety Arfagadamek-8 (AG8)
Authors: Mohamed Elkhawad, Hamad, M. A. A. and Abdalla. H. Mohamed
Volume: 9
Issue: 4
Pages: 318-326
Publication Date: 2025/04/28
Abstract:
Different control strategies for the parasite were developed but they were either expensive or complex for farmers to afford or adopted. Resistance crop cultivars are found to be the most economical and effective control option. Sorghum wild relatives are recognized as the main genetic resource for novel genes to tackle untractable problems. The objective of this study was to improve sorghum production aided by introgression of Striga resistance genes from wild relatives into farmer preferred varieties. Nine sorghum wild relatives' accessions were screened for Striga resistance in infested plot at Gezira Research Station Farm of the Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), during season 2013/14. Wild sorghum accessions were crossed with a farmer preferred variety AG8, and BC3F3, (113), progenies were generated. BC3F3 derived progenies were screened for Striga resistance in field infested plot at Gezira Research Station Farm of the ARC during season 2016/17 and 2017/18. Wild accessions and BC3F3 derived progenies were also screened for their Striga resistance in the laboratory, using the Extended Agar Gel Assay (EAGA). No Striga emerged plants were mostly observed in wild sorghum accessions, WSA-1 and WSA-4 at 75 and 120 days, while all wild accessions with expectation of WSB-1 and WSB-2 showed a few Striga emerged plants compared to the checks. Results indicated that BC3F3 progenies grain yield were negative and significantly correlated with Striga count at 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing. Laboratory studies revealed that sorghum wild relatives WSA-1 and WSA-2 have the lowest Striga germination index (0.94 and 0.71), respectively. The wild accessions WSA-1, WSB-2, WSB-1 and WSA-2 have the lowest Striga germination distance (0.77, 0.89 and 0.98 cm) respectively. The laboratory studies showed that BC3F3 progenies 29, 35 and 47 have low Striga germination, less than 3%, progenies 58, 71 and 115 less than 10% and zero germination distance for progenies 88 and 96.