Status of Sorghum Smuts and Their Control in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

A survey was made in East Ethiopia during October to November over 2001-2003 to investigate the status of sorghum smuts, their importance, local control practices and reasons for their continued occurrence, A total of 240 farms and 120 farmers randomly from four sorghum growing districts in the region were used. According to farmers, smuts were endemic and they knew them since childhood- In farmers’ view, the main sorghum smuts requiring control were covered kernel smut (S. sorghi Link.) and long smut (S. ehrenbergii Vanky). The incidence of covered kernel smut and long smut ranged 5-20% and 7-14%, respectively; and In some isolated farms, it reached 80%. Loose kernel smut (S. cruentum (Kuhn.) Potter.) and head smut (S. reilianum (Kuhn) Langdon & Fullerton) were rarely encountered, and their incidence never exceeded 4%. Smuts caused a 13% estimated combined yield loss in sorghum. Farmers never applied chemical seed dressings against smuts because fungicides were not available and/or affordable to farmers. Farmers mainly used local sorghum cultivars selected and retained for yield potential, with little emphasis on smut resistance. Improved varieties were not available, and when available, the supply was inadequate. Many farmers (48%) did not exercise any control measure; whereas, some used different local control methods. Many reasons contributed to the continued occurrence of smuts in the region.