Sorghum - icrisat

functional regions/research domains with a set of
constraints has resulted from the gradual shift in
breeding strategy from initial wide adaptability to
specific adaptations and to trait-based breeding
program for threshold traits through 1980s and
1990s (Figure 2). Threshold traits include yield
stabilizing defensive traits as well as grain qualityevident
traits. The ICRISAT-Patancheru based wide
adaptability approach followed initially was
abandoned by mid-1980s, and three research
centers with regional mandates were established
in Africa and one in Central America to take up
breeding for region/production system-specific
adaptations (Reddy et al. 2004). Thus, six different
phases in sorghum breeding goals could be
recognized in ICRISAT’s global sorghum breeding
program. These are (1) wide adaptability and high
grain yield (1972–75), (2) wide adaptability and
screening techniques (1976–79), (3) regional/
specific adaptations and resistance breeding (1980–
84), (4) specific adaptation and resistance breeding
(1985–89), (5) trait-based products and sustainable
productivity (1990–94), and (6) trait-based products
and upstream research (1995–present).
ICRISAT locations in Africa has been the focus for
all regions in Africa. Over the years, several land
race selections and improved cultivars with
adaptation to different agro-climatic conditions,
and resistance to biotic and abiotic constraints
have been developed and released by exploiting
the available and enhanced genetic diversity using
strategic and applied research. The number of
germplasm accessions/selections released as
superior varieties through partnership research are
23 in Asia, 16 in southern and eastern Africa, 2 in
western and central Africa, and 5 in Latin America
(Annexure II). The notable among these are NTJ 2,
and E 35-1 (a Zera-zera landrace from Ethiopia).
NTJ 2 (Figure 3): It was released for Andhra Pradesh
state in India, which occupies several thousands of
ha in the postrainy season sorghum belt. It is known
for its excellent grain and fodder quality with terminal
drought resistance, photoperiod sensitiveness and
temperature insensitivity – the traits required for
postrainy season adaptation in India. It was developed
from a landrace in Ethiopia by ICRISAT-Patancheru
and Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University
(ANGRAU) (Stenhouse et al. 1997).
Figure 2. ICRISAT’s sorghum breeding strategy from
1972 onwards.
Breeding products
Developing improved varieties in partnership with
NARS for all SAT areas from ICRISAT-Patancheru
was given major emphasis initially. Later on,
hybrids as the target materials were also given
considerable importance at ICRISAT-Patancheru.
From 1995 onwards, partnership mode of
conducting research to develop improved hybrid
parents at ICRISAT-Patancheru for Asia, and
finished products (varieties and hybrids) at other
Figure 3. NTJ 2, a dual purpose sorghum cultivar
highly popular in India.
E 35-1 (a Zera-zera landrace from Ethiopia): It was
recommended for release in Burkina Faso (Prasada
Rao et al. 1989). It is known for its seedling
establishment and drought resistant traits such as
stay-green.
Partnership efforts by multi-disciplinary team of
scientists at ICRISAT and in NARS programs have
led to the release of 194 improved cultivars in
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