Resistance in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) cultivars against major diseases

Abstract

Reaction of thirty two finger millet cultivars against leaf blast (Pyricularia grisea), banded blight (Rhizoctonia solani) and leaf blight (Drechslera nodulosa) was studied at two locations during Kharif 2019 under natural epiphytotic conditions. Average leaf blast severity, banded blight incidence and leaf blight incidence ranging from 2.2 to 7.0 Grade 15.8 to 37.1% and 22.0 to 75.0%, respectively were recorded. Finger millet cultivar GPU 100 was found resistant to leaf blast. Whereas, 19 were moderately resistant and 12 were susceptible. None of the screened cultivars were resistant to banded blight. However, 21 were moderately resistant and 11 were susceptible. Similarly, none of the cultivar was resistant to leaf blight. Finger millet cultivar VR 1125 was moderately resistant, 22 were susceptible and 9 were highly susceptible to leaf blight. In the present study, finger millet cultivar VR 1125 has shown multiple moderately resistant reaction against leaf blast, banded blight and leaf blight. Eleven cultivars namely PR 1643, PR 1506, PRS 38, IIMR-R 18-5538, IIMR-R 18-5725, RAUF 21, DPLN-2, DHFM 4-9, VR 1125, VL 376, PPR 1091 were shown moderately resistant reaction against leaf blast and banded blight. These finger millet cultivars may be utilized in crop improvement programme.