Ali Raza

Smut of pearl millet:- Casual organisms:- Moesziomyces bullatus. Symptoms:- Infected pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) spikelets, which can be few or all of those in the inflorescence, develop smut sori in place of grains. These oval sori are larger than the grain, and so project beyond the glumes. They begin as bright-green conical bodies, but turn brown to black as the infection develops. Where inflorescences are poorly exerted, the lower portion of the panicle, covered by the sheath of the flag leaf, is often severely infected with smut. Management:- Soil born and inoculum from soil air borne. Control is difficult. Removal of infected ear. Hot water treatment. Hot weather deep ploughing. Field sanitation. Use of resistant variety.