pearl millet INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT INNOVATION LAB IPM Innovation Lab Pearl millet package earl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) (Poales: Poaceae) is a crop native WHAT IS IPM? to Africa. Pearl millet is usually grown without irrigation or fertilizers. This crop is grown in well-drained soils and is well-adapted to poor, P Integrated pest management dry, and infertile soils; therefore, it is critically important for food security in (IPM), an environmentally-sound some of the world’s hottest, driest cultivated areas where soils are tough and economical approach to pest and rainfall is low. With climate change affecting weather and rainfall control, was developed in response patterns, it is becoming an increasingly important crop. Pearl millet is the to pesticide misuse in the 1960s. most widely cultivated millet and India and Africa are its largest producers. Pesticide misuse has led to pesticide It is mostly grown in the drier areas of India and Sahelian Africa. Other resistance among prevailing pests, a countries where pearl millet is grown include the United States and Puerto resurgence of non-target pests, loss Rico. The short-cycle cultivars (85–95 days to maturity) are the most widely of biodiversity, and environmental cultivated compared to long-cycle (120–130 days maturity) cultivars and can and human health hazards. Lab (IPM IL) Management Innovation Pest Integrated be grown under irrigation in rotation with higher-value crops. Pearl millet can tolerate higher temperatures but does not tolerate long consecutive drought periods. Pearl millet is used in making porridge and millet flour WHAT ARE is used to make flatbread. Millets have about 73% carbohydrates, 11% IPM PACKAGES? protein, 9% water, and 4% fat. In addition to being an important food source, pearl millet has several medicinal applications (it is gluten-free, can The IPM Innovation Lab has developed and tested robust IPM reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and can address iron and zinc packages, holistic suites of IPM deficiency). The stems can be used for building construction and as roof FOR HEALTH CROP IPM PACKAGES recommendations and practices thatch. In India and Africa, millet is also used as fodder. Pearl millet can for the production of vegetables be used as a cover crop to suppress soil-borne diseases and to increase and other crops. Farmers who use soil organic matter. Major abiotic stresses include long periods of drought, IPM packages in planting, pro- cold weather, and increased nitrate levels. Younger pearl millet plants duction, and throughout the supply encompass greater levels of nitrate, which could be harmful to cattle. Major chain see enhanced profitability insect pests include several species of stem borers, shoot fly (Atherigona in their crops. The recommended approximata Malloch), pearl millet head-miner (Heliocheilus albipunctella practices in IPM packages cover de Joannis), and grain midge (Geromyia penniseti Felt). Major diseases economically significant pest spe- include cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora penniseti Chupp), rust (Puccinia cies over a wide range of cropping substriata Thüm), pearl millet downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola Sacc. systems across the tropical world, Schroret), ergot (Claviceps fusiformis Loveless), and smut (Tolyposporium resulting in benefits to human penicillariae Bref.). health and the environment. This brochure was created and distributed by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Integrated Pest Management (IPM IL). It was made possible through the United States Agency for International Development and the generous support of the American people through USAID Cooperative Agreement No. AID-OAA-L-15-00001 1 diseases identification, descriptions, and images Parthasarathy Seethapathy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural Dr Parthasarathy Seethapathy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, University, Bugwood.org Bugwood.org Photos (From left): • Downy mildew • Rust • Ergot USDA, Tifton, GA DISEASES Pearl Millet Downy Milliano (Hypocreales: disease include the devel- Mildew [Sclerospora Clavicipitaceae)] opment of sori on the ears. Foliar and stem diseases graminicola (Sacc.) These sori appear as sacs and Cercospora leaf spot Schröt., (Peronosporales: Ergot is a fungal disease of are initially green and later [Cercospora penniseti Peronosporaceae)] inflorescences and symptoms on turn dark brown or black. Chupp (Capnodiales: include the appearance of These sacs are filled with black Mycosphaerellaceae)] Mildew is a fungal disease viscous creamy-pink exuda- spores of smut. The mature of foliage. The symptoms tions on the flowering heads. spores are released from the sori when the crop is threshed This fungal disease causes include chlorosis at the base Later, it forms a hard-brown and then get mixed with seeds small, dark lesions with grey of a leaf that then extend spiky structure called sclerotia. of non-infected florets, and are centers on leaves. Lesions can towards the tips of the leaves. These sclerotia contain the source of infection for the also be present on stems, and White powdery development alkaloids that are toxic for subsequent crop. Resistant in rainy weather, spores also also occurs on the leaves. humans. Ergot also reduces cultivars are available. become visible. High tempera- Inflorescences of infected grain yields. Initial infection is tures coinciding with periods tillers have the characteristic from spores produced from of high humidity increases green-ear symptoms where the sclerotia in the soil or crop this disease incidence. To grain is replaced by whip-like debris. Secondary infection manage this disease, resistant vegetative structures. When is from the spores produced varieties, weed management, infected at the early stage, in the honeydew. Once the crop rotation, sanitation are plants may die. This fungus stigmas have been pollinated practiced. infects the growing point of they rapidly wither and are each tiller when the leaf and no longer available as the panicle tissues are being infection route for the ergot Rust [Puccinia substriata formed. Primary infection fungus. Heavy rain at flowering (Pucciniales: Pucciniaceae)] is from oospores that live time washes down pollen, in the soil and secondary extending the period at which This is a foliar fungal disease infection happens by the the stigmas are available for and symptoms include small sporangia on the undersides infection as well as providing yellow or white raised spots on of infected leaves. To manage ideal conditions for germination upper and lower leaf surfaces. the problem, proper disposal and sporulation of the ergot More spots occur on the lower of infected plants should be fungus. Host plant resis- side of the leaves and at later done and removal of diseased tance, pollen management, stages spots become bigger plants or tillers at the first sign avoidance, and sanitation are and red-brown surrounded of disease could minimize the best way to manage this by a yellow halo. Rust spores secondary spread. Resistant problem. survive in crop residue in varieties are available for soil and spread through the managing this disease. Smut [Tolyposporium wind. To manage the disease, penicillariae Brefeld disease-resistant varieties are Ear diseases (Ustilaginales: available. Overhead irrigation Ergot [Claviceps Cintractiaceae)] increases incidence of this fusiformis Loveless, disease. Claviceps africana Symptoms of this inflorescence Frederickson, Mantle and 2 insect pests Pest and Diseases Image Library, Bugwood.org Malick Ba, ICRISAT Photos (From left): • Pink stem borer • Green bug • Lema planifrons damage Phil Sloderbeck, Kansas State University, Bugwood.org INSECTS ignefusalis Hampson. It Berliner, Metarhizium aniso- Krauss (Orthoptera: affects mostly late-planted or pliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin, Acrididae)] Foliage and stem pests late maturing material. The and Beauveria bassiana first-generation larvae cause (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. Both species cause major Stem borers dead heart and stand loss, yield loss in pearl millet by Pearl millet stem-borer while the second and third Shoot fly [Atherigona feeding on the foliage and [Coniesta ignefusalis cause lodging, disruption approximata Malloch stem. By chewing they cause Hampson (Lepidoptera: of the vascular system and (Diptera: Muscidae)] mechanical damage to the Crambidae)] inhibition of grain formation. plant and the entire plant dies. This is a major seedling Spotted stem borer [Chilo Yield losses range from 15% Entomopathogenic fungus pest, especially in the Indian partellus, Swinhoe, Chilo to total crop failure due to Metarhizium anisopliae and subcontinent. In India, it sacchariphagus Bojer C. ignefusalis. Stem borers Beauveria bassiana can causes 50% grain loss and (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)] become problematic in spring manage grasshoppers. 60% dry fodder yield loss Pink stem borer [Sesamia and summer plantings when during cold weather. It attacks inferens Walker, Sesamia temperatures and insect Green bug [Schizaphis seedlings and boot leaf stage calamistis Hampson reproduction rates are high. graminum Rondani of pearl millet and damages (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] Stem borer complex could (Hemiptera: Aphididae)] the earhead. It causes dead White stem borer [Saluria cause yield loss to pearl millet hearts in young plants and Aphids are polyphagous inficita Walker (Lepidoptera: crop. Use of pheromone bait chaffy grains in mature crop. insects that suck sap, colonize Pyralidae)] traps to monitor adult stem Increasing seed rate and in large numbers and secrete borers is recommended.