Morpho-physiological traits and leaf surface chemicals as markers conferring resistance to sorghum shoot fly (Atherigona soccata Rondani)

Sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata,causes substantial economic losses in sorghum globally. Cultural practices and host plant resistance are effective measures for mitigating the caused by fly. Therefore, we evaluated 32 genotypes consisting of a set 10 restorer lines, CMS (cytoplasmic male-sterile) lines their respective maintainers exhibiting resistance/susceptibility to fly along with resistant susceptible checks under field conditions. The traits such as leaf glossiness, sheath pigmentation, percentage plants deadhearts number eggs per were used morphological markers selecting during rainy post seasons 2016 2017. test material was also subjected biochemical analysis (total soluble sugars, protein tannin contents), while surface chemicals analysed GC–MS identify compounds associated differed significantly all traits, except season. ICSB 458, ICSA/B 467, 487, 14037, IS 18551 ICSV 93046 exhibited moderate high levels based on deadhearts, total eggs. 84, 14024, had low deadheart incidence, higher amounts condensed tannins, phenols lower content compared genotypes. Thirteen unique identified from extracts which resistance/susceptibility. While HPLC revealed that Protocatechuic coumaric acids present most genotypes, but greater ones. findings study highlight importance various conferring these can be use breeding programs.