DETERMINATION THE OPTIMUM INOCULATION LEVEL OF SPHACELOTHECA SORGHI TO INDUCE HIGHEST SORGHUM COVER SMUT DISEASE

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the optimum inoculation level of Sphacelotheca sorghi teliospor to utilize in plant breeding programme for this disease. That Four teliospore levels of Sphacelotheca sorghi were evaluated 0.1, 0.250, 0.5 and 1.0 ( gram teliospores/ 100grams seeds ) for infecting five sorghum cultivars ( Sugar, Speed, Jumpo, New gerx and Super den ) . The results revealed that all teliospore inoculation levels induced clear infection, but the concentrations 0.5, 1.0 gm /100gm seeds showed the highest disease incidence with no significant differences between each others .So the concentration (0.5 gm teliospores / 100 gm seeds )was recommended for breeding programmes for resistance to this disease in future investigations .