Slow blasting resistance in Finger millet cultivars to Pyricularia grisea Sacc

Strong positive association between neck blast and finger blast (r = 0.982*) was recorded. Seven finger millet cultivars namely PR 10–30, VL 368, VL 368, VR 988, VL 348, PPR 2773, TNAU 1214 and GPU 45 were shown resistant reaction, varied from 3.7 to 41.4% in 14 cultivars was observed. Low estimate of coefficients of infection, linear necrotic area on necks, apparent infection rate and area under disease progress curve value in resistant to moderately resistant cultivars were recorded, whereas incubation period was high in resistant to moderately resistant cultivars. Significant positive correlation of neck blast severity with linear necrotic area (r = 0.949*), coefficient of infection (r = 0.993*), apparent infection rate (r = 0.541*)/unit/day, area under disease progress curve values (r = 0.958*) and negative correlation with incubation period (r = -917*) were recorded. Finger blast severity (FBS) ranged from 6.3 to 39.9% in 14 cultivars of finger millet. Lower estimate of coefficient of infection (CI) and higher incubation period (IP) was recorded in finger millet cultivars showing resistance to finger blast.