Screening of different pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) genotype against blast disease of pearl millet caused by Pyricularia grisea (Cooke) Sacc.

The utilization of resistant varieties is a classical approach to prevent the catastrophic losses caused by pearl millet blast with reduction in the cost of production and increased yield. Therefore, a study was conducted during the kharif 2020 at collage farm, College of Agriculture, Jodhpur to identify resistance sources against blast disease in pearl millet crop. Thirty-one pearl millet hybrids along with one susceptible check were screened against blast disease caused by Pyricularia grisea under field condition. Among them 24 hybrids showed 12-33% disease severity with disease rating scale 2-3 were considered moderately resistant. Four hybrids showed 34-55% disease severity and disease rating scale 4-5 were considered moderately susceptible. Three hybrids showed 56-77% disease severity with disease rating scale 6-7 and therefore were considered susceptible and one hybrid showed greater than 78% disease severity with disease rating scale 8-9 was considered highly susceptible. None of the cultivars showed highly resistant and resistant reaction under field condition.