Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
Vijay Kumar Kashyap, R.K. Pandya, Rajni Singh Sasode and Sonu Sharma

Abstract:
Smut [(Tolyposporium penicillariae) Bref.] is one of the important biotic constraint in obtaining the optimum grain yield of many hybrids and varieties of pearl millet in northern region of Madhya-Pradesh. Forty promising and locally cultivated hybrids and varieties of pearl millet were evaluated under artificial inoculation at research found of college of agriculture, Gwalior during 2021-22 and 2022-23. During 2021-22 four cultivars viz., Kaveri super boss, MP-7792, Pratap and NBH 4903 were found completely free from smut, while the maximum smut severity (38.75%) was recorded in RHB-173 and GHB-732. In 2022-23 six cultivars viz., PB 1705, Kaveri super boss, MP 7792, HHB 299. Pratap and NBH 4903 were found free from smut, while its maximum severity was recorded in Dhanshakti (34.60 %). On the basis of two years mean data, four cultivars Kaveri super boss, MP 7792, Pratap and NBH 4903 were found absolutely free from smut under artificial inoculation and these four were significantly superior over most of the tested cultivars except HHB 299 and PB 1705, while the maximum mean smut severity per cent was recorded in Dhanshakti (37.55%).