ABSTRACT
Bajra/Pearl millet is an important cereal crop of tropical and subtropical countries. Many fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and parasitic plants are known to infect and cause substantial damage to crops, resulting in heavy economic losses. This chapter highlights the important diseases affecting the crop and their management strategies. Downy mildew of pearl millet also referred to as ‘green ear’ disease and this is most destructive. Symptoms can be observed in two phases, one is downy mildew phase appear on the leaves and other is green ear phase appear on the earhead. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, and cloudiness play an important role in the development and spread of disease. Ergot disease is known to occur in most of the pearl millet growing countries. It is reported from India, Pakistan, and several countries in Africa. The Smut of pearl millet is a widespread disease reported from Africa, India, Pakistan, and USA.
