Determinants of the growth and yield parameters of sorghum genotypes screened for loose smut in the Sudan savanna region of Nigeria

Rabiu Ibrahim ； Sayyu Kaita Danja ； Moussa Murtala Umar

《African Journal of Crop Science》 4卷2期 (2016/02) Pp. ii+268-274

摘要

One hundred and four sorghum genotypes were screened under field conditions for loose smut using the hypodermic stem injection artificial inoculation method and laid on a randomized complete block design with two replications. Results showed that, of the 104 sorghum genotypes screened for loose smuts, there was marked reduction in growth parameters in 26 (diseased) plants compared to healthy or non- infected (78) plants. Similarly, number of day to 50% heading as well as grain yield/hectare were significantly (P＜0.05) affected in loose smut infected plants than in healthy plants, with the former usually having less number of days to heading, as well as less yield than the latter. However, day to 50% flowering was not significantly (P＞0.05) affected even among the diseased plants. The present study have confirmed the fact that in loose smut, plants showing symptoms usually matured earlier and produced less grain yield but did not confirm the hypothesis that the affected plant flowers earlier than the healthy ones.

關鍵字

Growth and yield parameters ； loose smut ； sorghum genotypes ； Sudan Savanna