Vol. 11, Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Prerana Parihar, Purnima Singh, RK Pandya, Sushma Tiwari and MK Tripathi

Abstract:
Pearl millet blast, caused by Pyricularia grisea (Cooke) Sacc, has emerged at an alarming rate in the recent past year in India, and causes severe losses in higher yield potential hybrids/ varieties particularly cultivated for fodder purpose. The disease can be best managed through host plant resistance. A total of thirty-two promising pearl millet hybrids and varieties were evaluated in two replications at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Gwalior during Kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21 against blast under favorable condition. The tested entries showed a great variation in response to blast as their blast PDI varied significantly among different genotypes. None of the entry was investigated absolutely free from the disease. Ten hybrids viz., GHB 719, XMT 1497, GHB 744, GHB 905, KBH 108, 86M86, HHB 299, HHB 197, Pusa Composite 383 and RHB 173 were considered in the category of resistant as their blast severity PDI was investigated in the range of 11.11 to 33.33%. The maximum blast PDI (63.87%) was recorded in the ICMV 155. Resistant lines may be employed in breeding programme to develop blast resistant hybrids/cultivars.