Floral Malformation in Panicum antidotale caused by a Species of Eriophyses

Abstract

DURING March–April in 1958 and 1959 a peculiar malformation of flowers (Fig. 1) of blue panic (Panicum antidotale Retz.) was observed at the Institute of Agriculture, Anand. Individual flowers were malformed into false grains similar to smut sori (Fig. 2). When few flowers in an ear-head are infected and malformed, the disease is difficult to be noticed in the field (Fig. 1b). However, when the whole inflorescence is involved, it becomes quite prominent (Fig. 1c). The disease is quite prevalent in the vicinity of Anand. Malformation of panicles in mango¹ (Mangifera indica L.) more or less similar to above has been described. However, in case of mango malformation, invariably, whole inflorescence is involved and no fertile flowers are ever borne on such panicles¹ and gives the appearance of witch's broom².