Sorghum grain mold and the influence of head bug Eurystylus oldi in West and Central Africa

Grain mold of sorghum caused by a complex of fungi such as Phoma sorghina, Fusarium moniliforme, F: pallidoroseum and Curvularia lunata amongst others remains a major limiting factor to the adoption of short duration non-phot operiod sensitive sorghums in the West and Central African (WCA) sub-region . There is, however, an increase in this disease on local and improved vari eties through the occurence of assisted infection by panicle pests, particu larly head bugs of which Eurystylus oldi (Poppius) is the most important. T his paper examines the importance of grain mold and its relationship with h ead bugs in this sub-region. Drawing on work on control of each pest, sugge stions for control of the disease are highlighted.