Biological management of pearl millet downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola.

Abstract Downy mildew of pearl millet incited by Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet. The experiment was conducted to test the eight fungal and three bacterial antagonists against S. graminicola sporangial production, spore germination and in the management of the disease. Pearl millet seeds were treated with a talc-based formulation of Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens and a peat-based formulation for Bacillus subtilis. The seeds were treated with Trichoderma spp. at 4 g/kg, P. fluorescens at 10 g/kg and B. subtilis at 30 g/kg and then dried in the shade for 12 h. These seeds were then exposed to the sporangial shed of S. graminicola and were sown in infected soil in pots. These were compared with the standard check of seed treatment with Apron 35 SD (2 g/kg) and seed treatment with Apron 35 SD+ foliar spray with Ridomil MZ 72 wp. A suitable control was maintained. The number of plants showing downy mildew infection was recorded 30, 45 and 65 days after sowing. The results showed that seed...