Evidence of Pathogenic Variation in Sclerospora graminicola Populations from Pearl Millet Regions of Senegal

Abstract

Downy mildew of pearl millet ( Sclerospora graminicola ) ( Fig. 1 ) is a major disease that causes significant yield losses in most pearl millet production areas worldwide. It causes yield losses from 10 to 60% and this loss could be higher under favorable conditions and when a single cross hybrid F1 is grown in successive years. A well-known resistant cultivar in a given geographic region or time may not be resistant in a different zone or in another period owing to the pathogenic variability of this fungus. Therefore, for effective resistance breeding program, it would be necessary to study the pathogenic variability of S. graminicola populations from different agroecological zones in Senegal.