Although, small millets are known to cope up with abiotic and biotic stresses, nevertheless, under vulnerable conditions some of the diseases cause heavy losses and can damage entire crop. Therefore, the present investigation was planned with the objective to know the status of major diseases of small millets and also to observe occurrence of any new biotic problem with time in small millets. Based on the study conducted during 2007-2012, blast (Pyricularia grisea) and Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora eleusinis) of finger millet, leaf blight (Helminthosporium monoceros) and grain smut (Ustilago panici-frumentacei) of barnyard millet, blast (Pyricularia setariae) and leaf blight (Cochliobolus setariae) of foxtail millet, leaf spot or blight (Bipolaris panici-miliacei) of proso millet diseases were found to be the major constraints in successful cultivation of small millets in Uttarakhand. However, in addition to these some of the diseases like; green ear or downy mildew (Sclerophthora macrospora) and foot rot or wilt (Sclerotium rolfsii) in finger millet, head smut (Ustilago crusgalli) and sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) in barnyard millet, smut (Ustilago crameri) in foxtail millet and sheath blight (R. solani) in proso millet have been recorded for the first time in Uttarakhand.

Edible vaccine technology represents an alternative to fermentation based vaccine production system. Transgenic plants are used for the production of plant derived specific vaccines with native immunogenic properties stimulating both humoral and mucosal immune responses. Keeping in view the practical need of new technology for production and delivery of inexpensive vaccines, especially in developing world, plant derived edible vaccines is the best option in hand to combat infectious diseases. Plant derived vaccine is easy to administer, cost effective, readily acceptable, have increased safety, stability, versatility and efficacy. Several plant derived vaccines are under research, some are under clinical trials for commercial use. Like most biotechnology products, the IP situation for edible vaccines is complex as IP rights influence every stage of vaccine development.

Sheath blight, a new disease of finger millet appeared in Kotabagh, Nainital, situated in hills of Uttarakhand. Wide spread occurrence of this disease in this region can have alarming consequences as it causes serious yield loss. This could adversely affect the livelihood of marginal farmers of Uttarakhand. The causal agent was identified as Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. The pathogenicity of the fungus was established by artificial inoculation on healthy plants.

How to cite this article : Kumar, Bijender (2016). A new addition to sheath blight of barnyard millet caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Internat. J. Plant Sci., 11 (2): 383-385,