http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17118 2001-01-01T00:54:58Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17341 Prevalence, Characterization, and Integrated Management of Finger Millet [Eleusine Coracana (L) Gaertn] Blast [Magnaporthe Grisea (Hebert) Barr] in Western Amhara, Ethiopia Andargie, Melkamu Finger millet is an important cereal crop grown in Ethiopia, including in the study area. However, the production and productivity of the crop is limited by biotic and abiotic factors. Among the biotic factors, blast disease caused by the fungal pathogen, Magnaporthe grisea is severely limiting the yield of the crop. This study was conducted to investigate the intensity of blast disease on finger millet, and identifying effective management options in Western Amhara. Field surveys carried out in 2022 and 2023 revealed 100% prevalence, with incidence and severity levels varying from 15.21% to 58.26% and18.24% to 86.98% respectively. The highest incidence and severity were observed in Semien Achefer (56.54%), and in Jabi Tehnan (65.38%) districts respectively. While the lowest values recorded in Dangila district. These differences might be attributed due to variations in agro-climatic conditions, farming practices, and/or the susceptibility of finger millet varieties. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to survey farmers' local knowledge, and management strategies. Althoughunaware of its causes or how it spreads, while only 33.2% associated it with susceptible varieties. Farmers use different indigenous management methods including burning crop residues (39.3%) and decreasing nitrogen fertilizer use (11.6%), but only 0.4% reported using fungicides. Key challenges to effective disease management included a lack of awareness, a low perceived level of risk, and limited access to effective control measures. During the 2022 rainy season, blast-infected finger millet samples (leaf, neck and finger) were collected from the study areas, isolated and characterized in the laboratory. The findings revealed significant morphological and physiological diversity among pathogen isolates. The best growth was observed at 30℃ with a pH of 6.5, while oatmeal agar was the most suitable culture medium. In addition, 64 finger millet genotypes were evaluated under epiphytic conditions at two research sites (Adet and Finote Selam) using simple lattice design. The level of resistance varied between locations and among genotypes. G14, G31, G60, G16, G35, and G32 consistently exhibited resistance, whereas G7, G14 and a local check were found to be high-yielders. An integrated field experiment was conducted to examine the combined effects of four varieties (Bako-09, Tessema, Necho and a local check) and three fungicides (Hexaconazole + R Tricyclazole, Trifloxystrobin 100 g /l + Tebuconazole 200 g/l and Propiconazole), arranged in factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD). The findings revealed that Bako09, treated with Hexaconazole + R Tricyclazole, showed the least disease severity and achieved the highest yield (3045.1 kg/ha), with an economic return of 13,479. Use of Bako-09, high-yielding local varieties together Hexaconazole + R Tricyclazole, and strengthening extension services to improve farmer awareness on disease identification and management are recommended to increase finger millet production in west Amhara and similar agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia. unaware of its causes or how it spreads, while only 33.2% associated it with susceptible varieties. Farmers use different indigenous management methods including burning crop residues (39.3%) and decreasing nitrogen fertilizer use (11.6%), but only 0.4% reported using fungicides. Key challenges to effective disease management included a lack of awareness, a low perceived level of risk, and limited access to effective control measures. During the 2022 rainy season, blast-infected finger millet samples (leaf, neck and finger) were collected from the study areas, isolated and characterized in the laboratory. The findings revealed significant morphological and physiological diversity among pathogen isolates. The best growth was observed at 30℃ with a pH of 6.5, while oatmeal agar was the most suitable culture medium. In addition, 64 finger millet genotypes were evaluated under epiphytic conditions at two research sites (Adet and Finote Selam) using simple lattice design. The level of resistance varied between locations and among genotypes. G14, G31, G60, G16, G35, and G32 consistently exhibited resistance, whereas G7, G14 and a local check were found to be high-yielders. An integrated field experiment was conducted to examine the combined effects of four varieties (Bako-09, Tessema, Necho and a local check) and three fungicides (Hexaconazole + R Tricyclazole, Trifloxystrobin 100 g /l + Tebuconazole 200 g/l and Propiconazole), arranged in factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD). The findings revealed that Bako09, treated with Hexaconazole + R Tricyclazole, showed the least disease severity and achieved the highest yield (3045.1 kg/ha), with an economic return of 13,479. Use of Bako-09, high-yielding local varieties together Hexaconazole + R Tricyclazole, and strengthening extension services to improve farmer awareness on disease identification and management are recommended to increase finger millet production in west Amhara and similar agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia. many farmers had observed blast symptoms for almost a decade, 46.8% were 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z