Effect of Variety, Metalaxyl and Fertilizer Rate on Stand Establishment of Pearl Millet Infected With Downy Mildew at Bauchi and Maiduguri

H. H. Sheriff, M. Aliyu, S. A. Adebitan

Abstract


Downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet is a serious constraint to the cultivation and improvement of pearl millet in Nigeria. Therefore, a field trial was carried out during the 2014 rainy season at Bauchi (latitude 10017' N, 90 49' E) and Maiduguri (latitude 110 51' N, 130 05' E) located in the Northern Guinea Savanna and Northern Sudan Savanna of Nigeria, respectively. The aim was to evaluate the effects of variety, metalaxyl and fertilizer on stand establishment of pearl millet infected with downy mildew at Bauchi and Maiduguri. Randomized Complete Block Design was used with factorial arrangement of treatments, which comprised five nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg N/ha), metalaxyl fungicide (treated and untreated) and two millet varieties (PEO 5984 and Super SOSAT). Results did not show significant (p<0.05) difference in stand establishment between the two varieties, at both locations and assessment periods. In contrast, effects of fertilizer was significant at 6 and 9 WAS, and the best stand establishment was obtained with the highest fertilizer rate of 60 kg N/ha, closely followed by 45 kg N/ha, in both locations. Result indicated significant increase in stand establishment with each successive increase in fertilizer rate upto 45 kg N/ha. Similarly, fungicidal seed treatment also significantly increased stand establishment over the untreated check at 6 and 9 WAS in both locations. From the foregoing results, application of fertilizer at the rate of N60P30K30 and seed dressing with Metalaxyl at 2 g a.i/kg would be recommended for better crop establishment and control of downy mildew for both millet varieties, PEO 5984 and Super SOSAT in the Sudan and northern Guinea agro-ecologies of Nigeria.


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References


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