Evaluation Of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum Glaucum L) Genotypes For Resistance To Head Smut Disease (Tolyposporium Penicillariae Bref.) In Dry Areas Of Kenya

ABSTRACT

Head smut caused by Tolyposporium penicillariae Bref, is a devastating fungal disease that cause up to 30% yield losses in pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.). Pearl millet is the most drought tolerant cereal grown mainly by small scale farmers who cannot afford fungicides. Development of resistant genotypes offers the most economical means of head smut control however this depends primarily on the availability of sources of resistance. The study evaluated host plant resistance among fifty advanced pearl millet genotypes in two selected dry land sites (Koibatek and Marigat) in Kenya. Three experiments were performed to determine pearl millet genotypes that are high yielding and resistant to head smut. Experiment I, was done in the field in the two sites while experiments II and III were both carried out in the laboratory and glass house. Results from the field experiment showed that yield and disease severity were highly significant among the genotype (Fpr