EVALUATION OF TWO SOURCES OF SILICON DIOXIODE AND CULTIVAR FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PEARL MILLET DOWNY MILDEW (SCLEROSPORA GRAMINICOLA) IN MAIDUGURI AND GOMBE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

In a split plot design field experiment conducted at Maiduguri and Gombe, the efficacies of cultivar, Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and Diatomaceous earth (DE) on the management of downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet) of pearl millet was evaluated. Three cultivars (SOSAT-C88, Ex-Borno and LCIC[1]7902) were the main plots while four seed treatment materials (SiO2, DE, SiO2 + DE, All Star 40DS (standard check)) and control were the sub plots and replicated four times. There was a significant difference among the treatments (P = 0.05). SOSAT-C88 had the lowest disease incidence (29.88%) and severity (21.64%). SOSAT-C88 and LCIC 7902 had the highest grain yield (1008.30 Kg/ha, 1061.20 Kg/ha respectively). Downy mildew incidence and severity were significantly lower in the treated crops compared to the control. However, All Star 40DS and SiO2 + DE were statistically similar giving the lowest disease incidence (16.88% and 21.25% respectively), severity (12.67% and14.69% respectively), and highest grain yield (1190 and 1132.20 kg/ha respectively) while the control recorded the highest disease incidence (66.79%), severity (49.62%) and the lowest grain yield (711.90 kg/ha). SiO2 + DE can therefore be used as an effective pearl millet downy mildew management option.