Ergot of Bajra

Host name: Pearl millet(Pennisetum glaucum)
Pathogen name: Claviceps microcephala
Classification:
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycota
Class: Sodariomycetes
Order: Hypocreales
Family: Clavicipitaceae
Genus: Claviceps
Species: microcephala

Whip smut of sugarcane pictures:
Characters:
-Ergot of bajra is caused by a Fungi Claviceps microchephala.
-The disease causes direct grain yield loss in pearl millet by replacing grains with toxic
alkaloid-containing sclerotia, making the produce unfit for consumption.
-Other symptoms include exudation of small droplets of light pinkish or brownish honey dew
from the infected spikelets.
-Under severe conditions many such spikelets exude plenty of honey dew which trickles
along the earhead. This attracts several insects.
Reference:Common Core Botany by sri vikas publications.