Harshwardhan Thakur, Jateen Kumar, RS Netam and PS Netam
Blast disease caused by Pyricularia grisea poses a significant threat to finger millet (Eleusine coracana) production, leading to substantial yield losses. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of 26 finger millet genotypes under field conditions during the kharif season of 2021 at the Shaheed Gundadhur College of Agriculture and Research Station, Jagdalpur, India. The trial included one susceptible local check (Udru Mallige) and one resistant check (GE 4449). Genotypes were assessed using a 0-5 scale for disease severity, examining leaf, neck, and finger blast incidences.
The results indicated significant variation in disease resistance and yield losses. The highest disease intensity was recorded in Treatment 1, with >50% leaf blast (4.28 score), neck blast (66.17%), and finger blast (56.84%), resulting in grain and fodder yield losses of 54.81% and 76.18%, respectively. In contrast, Treatment 5 showed the least disease severity (leaf blast score of 0.64) with negligible yield loss. Intermediate treatments exhibited varied levels of resistance, with Treatment 4 reducing yield losses to 14.56% in grain and 31.87% in fodder, correlating with moderate disease severity.
These findings underscore the need to identify and promote resistant genotypes to minimize the impact of blast disease. The study highlights GE 4449 as a resistant genotype and emphasizes the necessity of integrating resistance breeding with cultural practices to enhance finger millet productivity sustainably.
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