Pests

Sorghum aphid

Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Aphids, including the sugarcane aphid Melanaphis sorghi and the greenbug Schizaphis graminum, are key pests of sorghum, causing plant depletion and acting as vectors for the sugarcane mosaic virus.

In the reference 11 varieties crop Sorghum, where this is mentioned in the description.

The most aggressive species for this crop is the sugarcane aphid Melanaphis sorghi, which significantly exceeds the corn leaf aphid and other cereal aphids in terms of harmfulness. Damage is manifested by the extraction of cell sap, which leads to stunted development, reduced grain weight and biomass, as well as indirect damage in the form of the spread of sugarcane mosaic virus.

Genetic protection of sorghum is based on the identification of QTL loci and the use of molecular markers, such as RMES1, to identify resistance genes. Plant natural immunity mechanisms are linked to the accumulation of the cyanogenic glucoside dhurrin, the expression of flavonoid synthesis genes, and regulatory factors, including SbWRKY86.

General information about the subject — on the page Aphids.

Sources8

Varieties of Sorghum mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.