Development of a Field Screening Technique and Identification of Blast Resistance in Finger Millet Core Collection

Kiran Babu, T and Thakur, R P and Reddy, R P and Upadhyaya, H D and Girish, A G and Sarma, N D R K (2012) Development of a Field Screening Technique and Identification of Blast Resistance in Finger Millet Core Collection. Indian Journal of Plant Protection, 40 (1). pp. 45-51. ISSN 0253-4355

PDF - Published Version Restricted to ICRISAT users only Download (72kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Effective management of blast disease in finger millet can best be achieved through host-plant resistance. In this study, field screening technique was developed and core collection evaluated to identify sources of resistance to blast. The field screening technique involved: use of systematic susceptible checks after every four test rows, artificial spray inoculation at pre-flowering stage with an aqueous conidial suspension (1×105 spores ml−1) of Magnaporthe grisea fm strain multiplied on oatmeal agar medium at 27±1ºC for 10 days, and maintaining high humidity and leaf wetness through sprinkler irrigation twice a day for 4 weeks following inoculation. Neck blast was recorded on a 1–5 scale and finger blast as severity percentage on all the tillers of selected 10 plants in a row at physiological maturity. The finger millet core collection consisting of 622 accessions was evaluated for neck and finger blast resistance. Among the core collection, 402 accessions were found resistant to neck blast, 436 to finger blast and 372 had combined resistance to both the diseases. Blast resistant accessions belonged to one wild and four cultivated races of finger millet that originated from 19 countries indicating the wide geographical diversity among resistant accessions. Most of the accessions from Asian origin were susceptible to neck and finger blasts while, those from African origin were resistant. A significant strong positive correlation (r = 0.85, P<0.0001) was found between neck blast and finger blast ratings. Core collection accessions with stable resistance to blast would be useful for finger millet breeding programs.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Core collection, finger millet, blast resistance, field screening technique
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Millets
Depositing User:	Mr Siva Shankar
Date Deposited:	23 Aug 2012 03:44
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2012 03:44
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/6092
Official URL:	http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspX?target=ijo...
Projects:	Sustainable conservation and utilization of genetic resources of two underutilized crops-finger millet and foxtail millet-to enhance productivity, nutrition and income in Africa and Asia
Funders:	Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
Acknowledgement:	The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the BMZ/GTZ. The authors are also grateful to Dr. Rajan Sharma and Mr. VP Rao, Cereals pathology, ICRISAT for their support in field and greenhouse experiments.
Links:	Author

View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item