Morphology and Influence of Abiotic Factors on Magnaporthe grisea

The present study entitled “Studies on Magnaporthe grisea incitant of blast disease of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]” was conducted during the kharif 2019 at research farm, Department of Plant Pathology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Pearl millet blast disease is a devastating fungal disease causing considerable yield losses. Blast of pearl millet incited by Magnaporthe grisea is the most widespread and destructive disease of pearl millet in India and other pearl millet growing area of the world. This disease is a major factor limiting full exploitation of high yield potential hybrids in India. In the present investigation, culture medium plays an important role in growth and sporulation of fungus. Among 5 media tested, rice meal agar was found most effective for all the 3 isolates of pearl millet blast were tested. Combined effect of temperature and relative humidity also play an important role in growth and spore germination of fungus. Among five combination of temperature and relative humidity, 30℃ temperature with 100 % relative humidity was found most effective for spore germination.