Production of Disease-free Seed for the Management of Downy Mildew (Sclerospora graminicola) in Pearl MilletS DSinghauthorH SShettyauthorFrequent occurrences of downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola) of pearl millet (Pennlscrtrm glaucum) causc substantial losses in grain yield. Sincc the disease i s seed transmissible, diseased seed i s considered as one of the factors contributing to these epidemics. Production of disease-free seed, therefore, requires special attention, Seed production should be carried out in fields with litlle or no oospores. Seed of a cultivar should not be multiplied in a given field for more than two cansccutive years. This can best be achieved by multiply ing seed in rotation of selected cultivars. This practice will reduce the development of host-specific populalions of the pathogen. Secd should be treated with metalaxyl to control infection by externally seed-carried oospores. A seed crop should be planted with pre sowing irrigation and the field should not be irrigated for 12-13 days afur pliinting. This will control development of an early epidemic in the seed crops. Effective roguing of infected plants thould be practiced from seedling to heading stage. Cultivars with fast seedling growth should be developed. This trait will help in producing seed free from internal mycelium which could reach the seed from the infected plant, A combination of all these operations will help to produce disease.free seed,Millets1990Conference or Workshop Item