Current Status and Management of Foxtail Millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] Blast Disease

The foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] is an important small millet crop which has been cultivated from ages all over the world. It ranks second in the total world’s production among all millet crops and it is an important staple food for millions of people. Blast disease caused by (Pyricularia setariae Nishikado) is one among the biotic agents evolved as a major constraint for the production and is responsible for the economic loss up to 40% during congenial weather conditions. This disease was reported in 1922 in India. Entire plant parts of foxtail millet can be infected by this pathogen causing the leaf blast, sheath blast, node blast, neck blast, stem blast, and head blast symptoms. The pathogen is highly host specific and often fails to infect other cereal crops like rice and finger millet. The young mycelium is thin, hyaline, and straight and becomes thicker, slightly brownish, and swelled when older. The conidiophores produce several pyriform conidia and also chlamydospores, spread as a seed-borne and to some extent soilborne pathogen. This pathogen can also infect pearl millet and wheat. The integrated approach of disease management is the most excellent choice for its control.