Development of Grain Sorghum Lines with Resistance to Sugarcane Mosaic and Other Sorghum Diseases. R. G. Henzell, Department of Primary Industries, Hermitage Research Station, Warwick, 4370, Queensland, Australia. D. M. Persley and R. S. Greber, Department of Primary Industries, Plant Pathology Branch, Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, 4068, Queensland; and D. S. Fletcher and L. Van Slobbe, Department of Primary Industries, Hermitage Research Station, Warwick. Plant Dis. 66:900-901. Accepted for publication 4 January 1982. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-900.

Fifteen parental lines (QL6–17 and QL20–22) homozygous for the Krish source of sugarcane mosaic virus resistance were developed over 6 yr. Virus was not detected in new growth leaves following mechanical inoculation with sugarcane mosaic virus. Line QL19 contains the Q7539 source of resistance, which confers a high level of resistance to natural infection. QL19 averaged 13.5% infected plants in field experiments over 3 yr compared with 79% in the recurrent parent KS4. Percentage of infection in QL19 and Q7539 decreased as inoculum dilution increased. QL22 was highly resistant to sorghum downy mildew (Peronosclerospora sorghi) and QL20 was resistant to race 1 of head smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana), whereas QL7 and 13 were more resistant to rust (Puccinia purpurea) than their recurrent parents.

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