Downy Mildew Reactions of Pearl Millet Varieties and Parents

摘要

Downy mildew (DM), caused by Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) J. Schret., became a major crop production constraint in hybrid pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) in India in the early 1970s, and is still a potential threat to pearl millet production in both India and several African countries. The discovery of cytoplasmic genetic male-sterility in pearl millet (Burton 1958) encouraged the production of F, hybrids. Many accessions with high levels of resistance have been evaluated and their progenies are highly resistant and agronomically acceptable (Singh et al. 1987). Selected pearl millet varieties/ hybrids, and their parents, including male-sterile (ras) lines, maintainers, and restorers, have been tested for DM resistance at Hisar. Theresults of these studies are reported.