Assessing The Effects Of Downy Mildew Disease On Plant Height And Tillering Of Twelve Pearl Millet Genotypes In Yola, Adamawa State

Downy mildew disease induced by Sclerospora graminicola is one of the most important limiting factors to pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) production in Nigeria, causing considerable yield loss of up to 70 % particularly in high susceptible genotypes. This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of downy mildew disease on plant height and tillering of twelve millet genotypes in Yola Adamawa state in 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons. The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of downy mildew infection on plant height and tillering ability of these genotypes, to determine the yield of these genotypes under disease pressure and to identify genotypes that are relatively tolerant to the disease. The result revealed that all genotypes under study showed reduction in their respective heights indicating that downy mildew disease had a negative effect on plant height. Souna-3 recorded 2 m against 2.25 m described by Lake Chad Research Institute; ICMV-IS-89305 had 2 m against 2.5 m. Sosat 1.7m against 1.8 – 2.2 m. Excessive increase in tillering was also observed among the genotypes, indicating susceptibility. This was clearly observed in the Yola local genotype. Grain yield in 2008 trials was higher than that of 2009 cropping season. This may be due to accumulation of the downy mildew inoculum in the soil in the 2009 cropping season. Serious reduction in yield was observed in most of the genotypes under study. However, Sosat C88, yielded 3.1 t/ha, ICMV-IS-89305 and Souna-3 were relatively tolerant to the disease infection and appeared promising in terms of grain yield