OCCURRENCE AND PREVENTION OF HEAD SMUT CA USED BY SPORISORIUM DESTRUENS (SCHLECHTEND) VANKY,K. IN MILLET

Head smut in Panicum miliaceum is widely distributed in millet growing areas in Europe and Asia. It is a loose smut and the smut sori first become evident as the panicles emerge. The entire inflorescence is mod ified into a sorus enclosed by a grayish-white false membrane. The mem brane ruptures as the plants mature, exposing the dark-brown spore mas s and the vascular tissues of the smutted panicle. Among the varieties investigated the most exhibited 3% infection resistant and the most s usceptible 87%. Only fungicidal seed treatment is effective against th is plant disease because it is transmitted by seed-borne teliospores. Effectiveness of certain seed-dressing products (Agrocit, Baytan Univ. , Buvisild BR, Biosild ED, BF 51 90 WSC, Panoctin 35 EC, Raxil 2 WS, Q uinalate 15, Vitavax 200 FF) and the resistance of a number of millet cultivars were investigated under laboratory conditions and in field c rops within a research programme sponsored by the Hungarian Committee for Technological Development (OMFB).