Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources

Smut of pearl millet caused by Moesziomyces penicillariae (Bref.) Venky is a seed-transmitted disease and fungicide seed treatment is not effective in inhibiting viability of smut spores present on seed surface. In the present study sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) and ethanol were tested at three different concentrations (5, 10 and 15%) to prevent the spore ball germination. NaOH and KOH were effective at 10 and 15% concentrations. None of these treatments could completely inhibit germination of spore balls. Spore ball elimination was tried by stirring infected pearl millet seeds for 1, 2 and 3 min with sterilized sand and ethanol. This seed stirring treatment for 2 min. was effective in complete elimination of smut spore balls from pearl millet seed surface. This simple method can be used as a routine treatment in quarantine processing of germplasm and seed certification programmes to prevent spread of pearl millet smut through seed.