Sorghum Diseases in India

a. We recommend that ICRISAT assemble
and coordinate an International Stalk Rot
Nursery (ISSRN).
b. Entries should number between 30 and 35,
including lines or hybrids considered resistant
to stalk rot.
c. Photoperiod-sensitive and nonsensitive reactions,
when known, should be assigned
to each particular entry.
d. Experimental design and methodology of
evaluation should be consistent with the
principles stated above.
Striga
A. Statement of the problem
1. The increasing severity of the problem with
Striga spp and the lack of interest or involvement
by crop-protection scientists and related
researchers threatens losses in sorghum, millet
and maize production, bringing in turn
economic and sociological disaster and famine
in much of the semi-arid tropics, especially
in developing nations. The unique
growth and survival traits of the Striga spp
and the present widespread tendency toward
cereal monocropping indicate that the only
hope for control of this extremely important
weed species lies in integrated programs. A
variety of complementary control strategies
and techniques are available.
B. We recommend:
1. Identification of research efforts on Striga and
its control, and expansion of laboratory and
nursery breeding and disease programs. An
example is screening techniques and their adaptation
to local conditions.
2. Intensification of training programs for research
and extension workers in Striga~endemic
areas.
3. Expansion of farmer-education programs that
show how simple strategies may be used to
reduce losses to Striga. Sorghum varieties and
hybrids highly susceptible to Striga should
not be released.
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4. Continued cooperation and collaboration of
all groups concerned—NARSs, IARCs, and
national governments—and intensification of
efforts to enlist breeders and pathologists in
Striga-control programs. Continued collaboration
across national and discipline borders
is imperative.
5. Assumption, by ICRISAT, of responsibility
for basic and strategic Striga research programs.
6. Formation of a 'Striga Research and Control
Network' featuring an intercontinental action
program strong in regional components and
national commitments to research, training,
and extension for control of Striga spp.
Disease Management in Sorghum
and Pearl Millet
1. Determine importance and prevalence of diseases
in the working area.
2. Determine that portion of the disease situation
that may be amenable to change.
3. Determine type of control most likely to be
effective—
a. Use resistant varieties where available.
b. Use chemical control where practical and
environmentally sound.
c. Control through cultural practices and
cropping procedures.
d. Integrate use of appropriate host/plant resistance
with complementary cultural and
cropping practices to (i) minimize losses to
economically important diseases, (ii) Decrease
potential for pathogen variability,
and (iii) avoid practices that discriminate
pathogens.
4. Quarantine! Keep out pathogens in the working
area.
5. Disseminate pertinent information on disease
control.
Pearl Millet Downy Mildew
1, Determine distribution and severity of pearl
millet DM, especially in southern Africa.
2. Conduct studies that increase understanding
of the biology, especially oospore biology, of
S. graminicola, and the precise environmental
factors that favor development of diseases
and disease epidemics.