Relative Susceptibility of Popular Pearl Millet Hybrids to Smut in Southwestern Haryana

摘要

Smut caused by Tolypowrium penicillariae Bref has been reported in Asia and Africa where pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is grown (Rachie and Majumdar 1980). The disease appeared in epiphytotic proportions in some paits of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in 1967 (Bhowmik and Sundaram 1971). A large number of pearl millet cultivars have been screened for resistance to smut (Thakui and Mehta 1985). Male-sterile cytoplasm does not influence the susceptibility of hybrids (Yadav 1994). In the present investigations, four hybrids and one composite were screened under natural conditions for their relative susceptibility to smut.