Prevalence of ergot of sorghum in India

This paper reports the incidence and severity of ergot (Claviceps sorghi and Claviceps africana) on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) grown in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh from 1999 to 2002. Crops were surveyed at vegetative to physiological maturity stages and disease incidence (number of plants infected) and severity (percentage, based on the number of florets infected within panicles) recorded in 12 m2 areas. Percentage incidence of ergot infection varied with location, with Rajasthan and Gujarat recording only trace infections from 1999-2002 and Karnataka having 27-60% infection. Disease severity followed the same pattern