Performance of promising hybrids and varieties of pearl millet against blast (Pyricularia grisea)

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is an important nutri-cereal for human as well as a forage/fodder crop for livestock. Blast incited by Pyricularia grisea (Cooke) Sacc. has occupied a key position among the pearl millet diseases resulting severe losses in high yield potential hybrids/ varieties particularly cultivated for fodder purpose. The disease can be best managed through host plant resistance. A total of Fifty promising pearl millet hybrids and varieties were evaluated in two replications at research farm of agriculture college of Gwalior during Kharif 2017 against blast under favourable condition. The tested entries showed a great variation in response to blast as their blast PDI range from 0.0 to 99.99% .Three entries viz. GHB538,MPMH17 and NHB5061 were absolutely free from the disease. In respect of blast reaction these three entries were significantly superior over rest of the 47 entries. The maximum blast PDI (99.9%) was recorded in the susceptible check ICMB95444.