Current Status of Sorghum Smuts in Nigeria

Abstract

Survey of farmers' fields in major sorghum growing areas within the four climatic zones of the Nigerian savanna established changing patterns in the incidence, severity and distribution of sorghum smuts. Covered smut (Sporisorium sorghi) although widely distributed, was found to be highly predominant in the Sudan (24.8%) and northern Guinea (29.5%) savanna. Loose smuts (Sphacelotheca cruenta) and long smuts (Tolyposporium ehrenbergii) were most prevalent in the Sahel savanna (21.8% and 15.5%, respectively). Head smut (Sporisorium relianum) was absent in the Sahel and Sudan, low in northern Guinea savanna zones, but was most predominant in the southern Guinea savanna. These smuts are economically important and continue to be a major biotic constraint in the effort to sustain high sorghum production levels.