Vol. 8, Issue 11, Part J (2024)

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) is a vital cereal crop cultivated worldwide and faces severe challenges from various diseases and pests. This study aimed to identify hotspots of leaf blight in the major sorghum-growing regions of northern Karnataka during the Kharif and Rabi seasons of 2023-24A roving survey was conducted to assess the prevalence, severity, and incidence of the disease across five districts viz., Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Belagavi, and Ballari during Kharif and four districts viz., Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Belagavi during Rabi 2023-24 and their respective villages. The mean PDI of sorghum leaf blight among different districts surveyed during Kharif is 26.81 percent. Gadag district showed highest disease severity of 28.52 percent while Ballari showed least disease severity (18.41%). During Rabi mean PDI of leaf blight recorded is 24.95 percent wherein Gadag district showed highest disease severity (25.64%) and Haveri showed least disease severity (21.19%) where sorghum was grown both under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Gadag district emerged as a hotspot, exhibiting the highest disease severity in both seasons. Local varieties were found to be more susceptible to leaf blight compared to hybrid cultivars. The microclimatic conditions during Kharif, which favoured disease development, contributed to the higher disease severity observed in this season. These findings highlight the urgent need for effective disease management strategies, such as the development and deployment of resistant varieties, to mitigate the impact of leaf blight on sorghum production in northern Karnataka.