Downy Mildew of Pearl Millet

Pearl millet (Pennisctwn glaucum (L.) \nR. Bt) is known by various names in different \nIangwages: pearI, bulrush, cattail, or \nspiked millet in EngIish; bajra in Hindi; \ndukhn in Arabic; and mil a chandelles in \nFrench. In India, Arabia, and Africa, pearl \nmillet has been cultivated as a forage or \ncereal crop for at least 3,W years. Pearl \nmillet originated in Africa and was subsequently \nintroduced into Tndia. Some are searchers 'believe that millets were the first cubtivat4 crops to be used for human food in prehistoric times (10). The world area \ncropped to pearl millet is about 26 million \nhectares. The crop is grown on the poorest \nsoils and under harsh ctimatic conditions \nwhere no other crop can grow. Therefore, \npearl millet is the food of the poorest of \nthe poor. Although the crop i s quite hardy, \nit still suffers from various biotic stresses. \nOne of the major biotic yield-reducing \nfactors is the disease downy mildew, \ncaused by Sclemspom graminicoIa (Sacc.) \nJ. Schrlit....