Sorghum diseases in Eritrea - a survey report

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is one of the main food crops of Eritrea. A total of 35 fields at 15 lowland locations and 13 fields at 8 highland locations planted with a variety of cultivars were surveyed in 2001 for sorghum diseases, based on the percentage of diseased plants in 5 subplots. In highland areas, covered kernel smut (Sporisorium sorghi [Sphacelotheca sorghi]) was predominant followed by head smut (Sporisorium reilianum [Sphacelotheca reiliana]) and about 10% incidence of Striga hermonthica. In lowland areas, leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum [Setosphaeria turcica]), anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola [Glomerella graminicola]), zonate leaf spot (Gloeocercospora sorghi), loose kernel smut (Sporisorium cruentum) and covered kernel smut were important. Striga had between 2-100% incidence and was more prevalent in the drier lowlands. For all diseases, different cultivars exhibited different susceptibilities, and full results are tabulated