Source: http://vasat.icrisat.org/?q=node/340

Distribution of Smut Disease

Smut Disease of pearl millet has been reported from Pakistan, India, USA and several countries in Africa. In India, the disease is present in most of the states where pearl millet is cultivated.

      Distribution of Smut Disease of Pearl millet

Economic Importance Of Smut Disease

In India, a survey during the 1950s indicated that smut severity in farmers’ fields ranged from 1 to 30% in parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. In recent years the disease has become more important in northern India, particularly in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The increased severity of this disease is manly due to commercial cultivation of hybrids.

Symptoms Of Smut Disease

In the infected florets, ovaries are converted into structures called sori (singular sorus). The sori are larger than grains and appear as enlarged, oval to conical bodies projecting somewhat beyond the glumes in place of grains. Initially the sori are bright green.

But later turn brown to black

Management Of Smut Diseases

Although no effective and practical cultural or chemical control measures are available, there are several reports of chemical having varying success. Chemical control measures are neither economical nor feasible at the farmers’ level. The major limitations to chemical control of smut in pearl millet are low monetary value of the crop, and scarcity of resources available to pearl millet growing farmers.

Host –plant Resistance

Use of resistant cultivars is the most cost-effective method for the control of smut disease. Four open pollinated varieties, WC-C75, ICMS 7703, ICTP 8203, and ICMV 155 released in India are resistant to smut disease.