Ergot disease of pearl millet.

Ergot of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). caused by Claviceps fusiformis. is an important and widespread fungal disease, it causes direct grain yield loss by replacing grains with toxic alkaloid-containing sclerolia, making the produce unfit tor consumption. In recent years, the disease has become important on F1 hybrids in india, and occasionally on exotic genotypes and local landraces in several countries in Africa Under conditions lavorable for disease development, grain yield losses as high as 58-70% have been estimated. This bulletin describes and illustrates geographical distribution, disease symptoms, morphology of the causal fungus, and the disease cycle of ergot. A brief review of various control measures is presented. Ergot control through host-plant resistance, including screening methods, is described in detail and use of resistant cultivars is suggested. An integrated control strategy is outlined for an effective and economical control of the disease.

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