Assessment of Varietal Resistance and Fungicides on Management of Smut Disease of Sorghum in Central Tanzania

Abstract

Sorghum smut disease caused by the fungus Sporisorium spp is one of the serious constrain on the productivity and quality of the sorghum grain yield especially in areas where farmers do not treat seeds before planting where grain yield loss of up to 80% is reported in different parts of the world. A Randomized Complete Block Design experiment was laid down to determine the relatively higher resistant sorghum variety and proper fungicide for management of smut disease in central Tanzania. The materials used in this experiment included some selected genotypes of sorghum (Wahi, Hakika, Macia, , Langalanga Gombela and one commercial variety). with different selected fungicides (Seed Watch 20WS, Apron Star WS 42% and Snow Angel W30% DS). Results revealed that, there was high significant difference among sorghum varieties tested (P< 0.05) on disease incidence and severity whereby the lowest incidence and severity of 4.57% and 11.41% respectively were recorded on Commercial variety while highest incidence 22.18% and Severity 19.07% were in Langalanga landrace. Among fungicides the lowest disease incidence and severity (3.72 and 11.15 respectively) were observed on Apron stars fungicide (20% Metalaxyl-m, 20% Thiamethoxa and2% Difenoconazole) while the highest incidence (36.93%) and severity (26.68%) were recorded on control. From the present study, smut management using combination of improved sorghum varieties with the application of seed dressing fungicides especially with Metalaxyl-m, Thiamethoxam and Difenoconazole is recommended for use in central part of Tanzania.