Infection of the pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) inflorescence by the downy mildew fungus (Sclerospora graminicola)

Abstract

Different developmental stages of the inflorescence of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) were inoculated with zoospores of the downy mildew fungus (Sclerospora graminicola). Individual florets within a panicle were infected, with resultant malformation of any floral organs that were not fully differentiated at the time of infection. ‘Green‐ear’ symptoms resulting from hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the host tissues were accompanied by both sexual and asexual sporulation of the fungus on the malformed plant parts. No grain set occurred in affected florets, indicating that secondary inoculum was able to cause yield reductions even at late stages in the host development. Infection of differentiated stigmas led to rapid dissolution and necrosis of tissue and prevented colonization by the pathogen. This failure suggests that seeds are unlikely to be infected internally.