Sorghum Diseases in India

Anthracnose of Sorghum
M.E.K. Ali 1 and H.L. Warren 2
Abstract
Anthracnose is one of the most destructive diseases of sorghum grouting in warm, humid regions.
The pathogen, Colletotrichum graminicola, infects leaves, stalks, peduncles, and panicles, including
the grain. A brief review of anthracnose of sorghum, with emphasis on the biology of
pathogen and the economic importance of the disease is presented. C graminicola is a highly
variable pathogen, and there is evidence of races among pathogen populations. Variability in
virulence among pathogen populations may pose a threat to sorghum production in areas where the
conditions are favorable for anthracnose development. Grain yield is influenced by the aggressiveness
of the pathogen, sorghum genotype, environment, and the physiological status of the host.
Grain losses of up to 50% have been reported.
Introduction
Sorghum anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum
graminicola (Cesati) Wilson, has been reported in
most areas where sorghum is grown, but is more
prevalent and severe in warm, humid regions (Bergquist
1973; Porter 1962; Powell et al. 1977; Sundaram
et al. 1972; Tarr 1962). Anthracnose has been
reported (Harris and Sowell 1970) as the most destructive
disease of sorghum in Georgia, USA.
History and Distribution
Anthracnose of sorghum was first reported from
Togo in 1902 (L.K. Mughogho, ICRISAT, personal
communication, March 1988). The disease
now occurs worldwide (Bergquist 1973; Edmunds
et al. 1970; Frederiksen 1984; Heald and
Wolf 1912; Hsi 1956; Miller 1956; Noble 1977; Pastor-Corrales
and Frederiksen 1980; Porter 1962;
Sundaram et al. 1972; Tarr 1962).
Causal organism
The anthracnose fungus are described by a
number of reviewers (Mordue 1967; Pastor-Corraies
and Frederiksen 1980; Tarr 1962; Warren
1986).
The imperfect fungus, Colletotrichum graminicola
(Cesati) Wilson, causes anthracnose
of other cereals and many grasses as well.
C. graminicola of the Melanconiales was erected
by Wilson (1914) to include most forms of Colletotrichum
with falcate conidia.Synonyms encountered
in the early literature include Dicladium
graminicola Cesati and several species of
Vermicularia. Based on morphological and cultural
characteristics, Politis (1975) was able to
differentiate between the perfect states of
C. graminicola and C. falcatum by size of penthecia,
asci, and ascospores, as well as on shape
of ascospores. Accordingly, the perfect state of
C. graminicola was named Glomerella graminicola.
1. Research Plant Pathologist, Agricultural Research Corporation, Hudeiba Research Station, PO Box 31, Ed-Damer, Sudan.
2. Research Plant Pathologist and Professor, USDA-ARS, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. Purdue University, West
Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Ali, M.E.K., and Warren, H.L. 1992. Anthracnose of sorghum. Pages 203-208 in Sorghum and millets diseases: a second world
review, (de Milliano, W.A.J., Frederiksen, R.A., and Bengston, G.D., eds). Patancheru, A.P. 502 324, India: International Crops
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.
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