Smut Disease of Pearl Millet

Smut of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), caused by Tolyposporium penicillariae, is an important and widespread disease. It causes direct loss of grain by replacing them with smut sori, and yield losses of up to 30% have been reported. In recent years the disease has become more important on commercial F1 hybrids in India and on exotic early-maturing cultivars in countries of Africa. The text describes and illustrates geographical distribution, disease symptoms, disease cycle, morphology of the causal fungus, and disease management methods. Various control measures are presented, with emphasis on host-plant resistance, including screening methods and use of resistance