[01] Ali H. Bahar, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, University of Zalingei, Zalingei, Sudan. [02] Kamal I. Adam, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Crop Protection, University of Zalingei, Zalingei, Sudan. [03] Siddig A. Mohamed Ali, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, University of Zalingei, Zalingei, Sudan.

A field experiment was conducted at the University of Zalingei demonstration farm (Zalingei, Sudan) during 2013/ 2014 rainy season, to investigate the effect of sowing date and variety on growth, yield, pest and disease performance of some sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL.Moench) varieties and local genotypes grown at Zalingei area under rain fed condition . Treatments consisted of three sowing dates (7th July, 10th July and 15th July) and four sorghum varieties and genotypes (Tabat, Wad-Ahmed, Abu-ragaba and Abu-kunjara). Treatments were arranged in split plot design replicated four times with sowing dates in the main plots and varieties in the subplots. Parameters measured were number of leaves/plant, leave area (cm2) and stem diameter (cm), 1000 grain weight (g) and yield (kg/feddan). Data were statistically analyzed using MSTAT-C software program. Data about pests and diseases were collected by field survey three times during the season at seedling, at vegetative growth stage and at harvest. Primary diagnosis of pest and disease infection was done in the field through visual observation using hand lens. Samples of infected plants were taken to the laboratory for further investigation. Results showed that significant differences (p ≤0.05) were found for number of leaves/plant in the third count and the leave area. Concerning stem diameter results showed no significant differences for different varieties. Results revealed significant differences (p ≤0.05) in number of leaves/plants and leave area during different sowing dates. In case of stem diameter results revealed no significant differences for different sowing dates. Yield results revealed that no significant differences were found. Interaction of sowing date × variety showed significant difference (p ≤0.05) for all parameters measured. Pest and disease results obtained revealed that damping-off of young seedlings was considered to be the most important disease that affect Barbarei at seedling stage, both pre- and post emergence damping-off were observed. Results showed that both sorghum genotypes (Barbarei) - Abu-ragaba and Abu-kunjara- were found to be more affected by disease incidence especially in second sowing date (24.8% and 23% respectively) compared to Tabat and Wad-Ahmed (9.7% and 9.1% respectively). At vegetative growth stage, stem borer was observed equally in all sorghum varieties and Barbarei. With regard to diseases, a bacterial leaf streak was detected.

Sorghum, Varieties, Performance, Pests, Diseases, Rain-Fed, Zalingei

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