Investigation was undertaken to develop suitable dual purpose kharif sorghum varieties resistant to shootfly and grain mold diseas for rainfed situations of Karnataka state  during the kharif season of 2001 and 2002. Genetic variability existed for different characters was observed. The varieties BH-9704-1-3 (SPV-1600), BH-9706-1-1, BH-9702-9-1 (SPV-1601) and BH-9709-1-3 were found to be promising for both grain and fodder yield. These varieties were also superior with regard to stem borer, shoot fly dead heart per cent and grain mold score in field and after threshing in laboratory than the checks DSV-2 and CSV-15.