ARS | Publication request: Anthracnose disease evaluation of sorghum germplasm from Honduras

Submitted to: Gene Conserve
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 7, 2011
Publication Date: January 8, 2011
Citation: Erpelding, J.E. 2011. Anthracnose disease evaluation of sorghum germplasm from Honduras. Gene Conserve. 10(39):42-50.

Interpretive Summary: Anthracnose is a fungal disease that is commonly observed on the leaves of susceptible sorghum varieties. Once the sorghum plant is infected, the disease can rapidly spread to all leaves of the plant resulting in plant death. Resistant varieties can be used to control the disease; however, the pathogen is highly variable as a result of frequent genetic changes within the pathogen population. This genetic variability in the pathogen makes it difficult to breed resistant sorghum varieties. Combining several different resistance genes into a single variety can increase the longevity of resistant varieties and prevent disease epidemics. To develop these varieties, a diverse gene pool of anthracnose resistant germplasm is needed. Sorghum germplasm from Honduras is a potential source of anthracnose resistance and 17 accessions were evaluated during the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons at the USDA-ARS, Tropical Agriculture Research Station in Isabela, Puerto Rico. All accessions were rated as resistant; indicating that germplasm from Honduras is an important source of anthracnose resistance for sorghum improvement.

Technical Abstract: Germplasm collections are important resources for sorghum improvement and 17 accessions from Honduras were inoculated with Colletotrichum sublineolum and evaluated at the Tropical Agriculture Research Station in Isabela, Puerto Rico during the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons to identify sources of anthracnose resistance. All accessions were rated as resistant, indicating that Honduras is an important source of anthracnose resistant germplasm. Average annual rainfall is more than 1,000 mm in Honduras and climatic conditions are favorable for the pathogen, which could contribute to a high frequency of resistance observed in the germplasm.