Millet
Pearl Millet Ergot
Claviceps fusiformis
Fungus
In a Nutshell
- Creamy pink to red colored liquid on the ear head (honeydew).
- Black sclerotia or ergot bodies replace grain kernels.
Can also be found in
Millet
Symptoms
In the ear head, a pink to red liquid is secreted from the infected florets (honeydew). It can drop on the foliage and onto the ground. The liquid contains a large amount of conidia. Infected florets do not produce grains. Black fungal masses replace the seeds.
Recommendations
Organic Control
Antagonistic organisms show promising results in reducing the incidence of ergot in millet. Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Aspergillus niger, Epicoccum andropogonis and Bacillus subtilis can be sprayed to flowering millet head. Alternatively crude Neem products can also be used.
Chemical Control
Always consider an integrated approach with preventive measures together with biological treatments if available. Due to limited effectiveness and economical justification, chemical control mechanisms are seldom considered. Fungicides containing ziram or carbendazim were effective and can be used to control and prevent ergot.
What caused it?
The symptoms are caused by the fungus Claviceps fusiformis. Five to seven days after infection, honeydew is secreted. The honeydew promotes a secondary infection of the florets. Spores can be spread via rain, wind and insects. Ergot can lead to severe health problems for humans and animals in case of consumption. The fungus survives throughout the year in plant residues. Favorable conditions are a relative humid climate and temperatures between 20 to 39°C.
Preventive Measures
- Plant resistant varieties.
- Use uncontaminated seeds.
- Proper seed cleaning removes all sclerotil bodies that potentially can transmit the fungus.
- Plant early in rainfed conditions.
- Ensure balanced nutrient supply (low nitrogen and high phosphor).
- Remove weeds from your field.
- Deep plowing after harvest burying all plant residues will help prevent the germination of scleorita and further spread of the fungus.
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