Eliminating Smut (Moesziomyces penicillariae) from Pearl Millet Seeds under Transboundary Movement

Abstract

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 certifi cation programmes to prevent spread of pearl millet smut through seed.