FOLIAR DISEASES AND YIELD OF FINGER MILLET [ELEUSINE-CORACANA (L)] UNDER MONOCROPPING AND INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS

Effects of intercropping and plant population on the severity of foliar diseases and yield of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.)] were studied in mixtures of finger millet with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The severity of Cylindrosporium leaf spot was not influenced by the intercropping practices, while that of tar spot was reduced in the intercrops especially at high plant density. Pyricularia leaf spot was more severe in mixtures of finger millet with the legumes, but was reduced in the sorghum intercrop. Both leaf blast and leaf spot diseases tended to be more severe with increase in plant population, particularly when finger millet was grown in pure stand. Grain yield advantages were achieved mainly in mixtures of finger millet with pigeon peas, and this was attributed to differences in growth cycles and reduced competition for nitrogen rather than to more effective control of diseases.