Ergot can irreparably damage sorghum nurseries and genetic stock. Disease-related damages in South Africa and India are 10–80%. This pathogen causes severe yield loss in hybrid seed production of sorghum. This study was planned to have disease management practices, by studying the characteristics of pathogen, through biological agents. C. sorghi's sphacelia or sclerotia were barely visible in honeydew. Physical characteristics helped identify C. sorghi. Mycelium forms micro, macro, and secondary conidia. Microconidia were hyaline aseptate and 2.5–5 m in diameter. Macro conidia were hyaline, aseptate, rectangular to oval, 13133.7 to 14127.5 m dia, and constricted in the centre. C. sorghi (MW281790) was identified as the disease's causal agent. Seven fungicides were tested in vitro at 0.0.05, 0.075, and 0.1% against C. sorghi. Mycelial growth was inhibited most by carboxin 37.5% + thiram 37.5% WS at 0.05%, followed by tebuconazole 25.9% EC (0.1%) (90.63%). Bacillus subtilis (EPC 5), one of six bioagents studied in vitro employing dual culture, inhibited mycelial growth by 56.87%. In 2019–20, a pot culture was started after the in vitro investigation. Spraying 25.9% EC (0.1%) tebuconazole reduced incidence to 9.99% and increased grain yield to 2009 kg/ha compared to 1278 kg/ha for the control. Spraying tebuconazole 25.9% EC (0.1%) @ 1ml/l resulted in a minimum incidence of 13.34% and a benefit–cost ratio of 1.71 in a 2020–2021 field investigation.

Ergot, sclerotia, bioagents, fungicides.

Even though there haven't been many studies on the pathogen and treatment of the disease, there isn't much data available on biological and chemical management studies or disease severity. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly research each of these factors in order to advise farmers on an efficient management approach and the fundamentals of the disease.

Sudha A. and Rajesh M. (2022). Integrated management of Sorghum ergot Disease caused by C. sorghi. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(3): 1582-1588.