Sources of Resistance to Blast Disease (Pyriculariagrisea L.) in Finger Millet (EleusineCoracana) Germplasm

Blast has been a continuous threat to finger millet production in semi-arid tropics. The disease is economically important and widespread in finger millet major growing areas of western, Nyanza and Rift valley in Kenya. Host resistance is the most economical and effective means of controlling the disease as finger millet is grown by resource-poor farmers. This study evaluated a hundred finger millet genotypes for resistance to blast at KALRO (Kenya Agricultural Research and Livestock Organization) Kakamega and Alupe, Kenya for two seasons in 2011/2012 in a lattice square design for two seasons each. Data on blast incidence and severity were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (analysis of variance) and means separated using Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) at p<0.005. The results showed that disease severity was highest in early maturing varieties and lowest in the late maturing varieties. The most resistant genotypes were: GBK000702, GBK000513, GBK029869, GULU-E, GBK000752 and Busibwabo. Pearson correlation analysis between neck severity and physiological maturity was positively significant (r=-0.47). A strong positive correlation between finger severity and neck severity (r= 0.87) was observed. These tolerant genotypes could be utilized as donor parents for breeding durable blast resistant varieties.