Identification of blast resistant finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) genotype through phenotypic screening and molecular profiling

Finger millet blast caused by Pyricularia grisea hinders crop's growth and is a serious threat to economic yield. It can lead to massive yield losses i.e. up to 80%, which is a cause of major concern. In this study, we evaluated 200 accessions of finger millet at Banda University of Agriculture & Technology in Banda, India, under natural conditions to determine their resistance against leaf, neck, & finger blast diseases. Nine accessions displayed strong resistance against all forms of blast. The genetic variability analysis revealed high phenotypic & genotypic coefficients of variation. This was especially true for seed yield, plant height, & days to flowering. Most traits had heritability estimates exceeding 80%. Such results indicate a significant potential for effective selection in breeding programs. Leaf blast ratings had a significant but weaker correlation to both neck blast (r = 0.31) and finger blast (r = 0.31) whereas neck and finger blast ratings were very highly correlated and significant (r = 0.97). All types of blast had negative correlation with various agronomic traits studied. Furthermore, DNA fingerprinting of resistant genotypes with SSR markers displayed 10 polymorphic markers with an average of 2.6 alleles per locus. This points to the genetic diversity present within the germplasm. In summary, these findings provide vital insights for breeding initiatives focused on enhancing blast resistance in finger millet. Such efforts are crucial for maintaining the sustainability of this important crop for global food security.