Studies of the rust onSetaria italica

Summary

The relative reaction of the alleged resistant cultures of Tenai from the Agricultural Research Station, Hagari, and 339 cultures available at the Millets Breeding Station, Coimbatore, to rust infection was assessed at Coimbatore. All of them were found to be susceptible in varying degrees. Four geographic races of the millet were also found to be susceptible. Among eighteen varieties obtained from Japan, eleven were found to be satisfactory, five of them being immune. Two of them produced good ears and are worth multiplication. The rust did not infect other local species ofSetaria but passed on toEriochloa procera. Juices of garlic and onion inhibited the germination of the urediospores to some extent but not completely.

We wish to express our indebtedness to the Millets and Pulses Specialist, Coimbatore, the Cytogeneticist, Coimbatore, and the Superintendent, Agricultural Research Station, Hagari, for supplying the seeds of the various cultures. To the Millets Specialist we are further obliged for laying out the field trials. We are thankful to Sri. C. L. Subramaniam for assistance in some of the inoculation experiments.