Survey of ergot disease of pearl millet caused by Claviceps fusiformis (Loveless). in Marathwada region district of Chh. Sambhaji Nagar (MH)

Abstract

A random survey of pearl millet growing farmer’s field was conducted in the Chh. Sambhaji Nagar district i.e nine tehsil and twenty seven village during Kharif 2023-2024 for recording the prevalence of ergot on pearl millet. It revealed that the disease was extensively distributed. In Chh. Sambhajinagar districts in the Marathwada revenue division of Maharashtra state, the disease was widely distributed and commonly occurred in mild to severe cases, according to a survey done to determine the prevalence of the disease at varied 9 tehsils and 27 villages. Nevertheless, in the district of Chh. Sambhaji Nagar, the prevalence of ergot varied from 5.50 to 22.00% in the district of Chh. Sambhaji Nagar. Kannad tehsil had the highest recorded ergot incidence of (22.00%), while in Phulambari tehsil it had the lowest disease incidence (5.50%). The findings also revealed the average ergot disease incidence on the pearl millet cultivars / varieties planted by farmers during the kharif 2023-2024 ranged from 8.04 (Poineer 86M38) to 16.33 percent (Local), However maximum average disease incidence was recorded on Local (16.33%) this was followed by Mahodya318 (15%), NHB-4 (13.20%), ABH1200fe (11.20%), Samrudhi (7.75%), and the least average disease incidence was recorded on Poineer86M38 (8.04%). The mean ergot of pearl millet incidence was recorded to the tune of 13.19 percent.