Abstract:
Downy mildew of sorghum (Peronosclerospora sorghi) is one of the most important diseases of sorghum and maize. It is distributed widely in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, where serious epidemics occur. Systemic infection causes complete or partial sterility of the panicle, resulting in yield loss roughly proportional to the disease incidence. The seriousness of the problem has resulted in significant investment to increase knowledge of the pathogen and to investigate various disease control measures. Several alternatives for the control of sorghum downy mildew are now available including cultural and chemical control, and the deployment of resistant varieties. The current state of knowledge of the pathogen's biology, epidemiology, variability, and control are described in this bulletin, together with practical aspects of disease management.