Reactions of Pearl Millet Germ Plasm from the World Collection to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus Strains A and B. Stanley G. Jensen, Research Plant Pathologist, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583. David J. Andrews, Program Leader and Breeder, Pearl Millet Improvement Program, ICRISAT, Patancheru P.O., Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India, and Nancy E. De Vries, Research Technician, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Plant Dis. 67:1105-1108. Accepted for publication 15 April 1983. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1983. DOI: 10.1094/PD-67-1105.

Fifty land races and 49 breeder lines of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) from the world collection at ICRISAT in India were tested for reaction to maize dwarf mosaic virus strains A (MDMV-A) and B (MDMV-B). A small number of plants in 29 entries became infected with MDMV-A and a small number of plants in 58 entries, with MDMV-B. Twenty-five of 29 entries with susceptibility to MDMV-A were also susceptible to MDMV-B. Susceptibility was not related to area of origin. Seventy-six entries from North America showed similar trends, but two highly susceptible lines were identified. Symptoms consisted of a mild mosaic appearing in 7–10 days. In the highly susceptible lines, mosaic symptoms appeared sooner, were more severe, and were accompanied by mild stunting.