Identification of Blast-resistant Pearl Millet Genotypes under Field Conditions

Abstract

Blast caused by Pyricularia grisea is an economically important foliar disease of pearl millet. The cultivation of resistant genotypes is the most economical, environmentally safe and sustainable approach for its management. Therefore, 40 pearl millet genotypes/varieties were evaluated for resistance to blast under field conditions at the Centre for Crop Improvement, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, during the Kharif seasons of 2018 and 2019. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with two replications. A highly susceptible genotype, ICMB-95444, was planted as an infector line to ensure adequate and uniform disease development. Blast severity was assessed using the standard 0–9 disease-rating scale recommended by AICRP on Pearl Millet. None of the evaluated genotypes exhibited a highly resistant reaction. The genotypes ICMB-91777 and ICMB-10777 consistently exhibited a resistant reaction during both seasons. ICMB-91777 recorded disease intensities of 6.28 and 5.78 per cent during 2018 and 2019, respectively, whereas ICMB-10777 recorded corresponding disease intensities of 8.55 and 8.33 per cent. Eight genotypes were moderately resistant, 11 were moderately susceptible, 17 were susceptible and two were highly susceptible. JMSB-15388 and ICMB-07777 exhibited highly susceptible reactions during both seasons. The consistently resistant genotypes ICMB-91777 and ICMB-10777 may be utilized as potential resistance donors in pearl millet breeding programmes after validation across locations and against diverse pathogen populations.