African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6947

Article in Press

Prevalence of anthracnose and yield response of sorghum treated with bio-inoculants as bio-control agent

Agaba Derrick

  •  Received: 06 March 2025
  •  Accepted: 23 May 2025
In Uganda, Sorghum anthracnose disease together with other fungal diseases has become a serious challenge to farmers causing significant losses. However, less research has been conducted to explore the use of locally made bio-inoculants that can provide both biocontrol and biofertilizer services. This research aimed at generating information on use of bio inoculants as potential remedy for management of sorghum anthracnose and its effect on the yield of Seso 3 sorghum. The experiment set up involved a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. The treatments included Bokashi a bio-compost fertilizer, Jeevamritha a bio-inoculant with varying different treatment combinations; Bokashi + Jeevamritha, seed coated with Bokashi, Jeevamritha + Coated seed, and farmers practice as a negative control without any treatments. Results showed significant differences (P<0.001) in anthracnose disease incidence and severity between treatments in both seasons. The lowest incidences of sorghum anthracnose were observed in Bokashi, Coated seed, Jeevamritha+Coated seed, Bokashi +Jeevamritha and Jeevamritha, while the lowest levels of severity were observed in treatments of Bokashi, Coated seed, and Bokashi+Jeevamritha. The yield parameters panicle length (P<0.01), Panicle weight (P<0.001), 100 seed weight (P<0.05) and grain yield (P<0.01) showed significant statistical variations at different probability levels. Bokashi, Bokashi+ Jeevamritha, Jeevamritha + Coated seed and Jeevamritha showed the highest panicle length (cm), panicle weight and 100 seed weight. The study conclusively demonstrated that bio-inoculants reduce the incidence and severity of sorghum anthracnose disease while enhancing the yield performance of sorghum. Bioinoculants such as Bokashi, Bokashi+ Jeevamritha and Jeevamritha+Coated Seed were particularly effective, providing strong evidence for their potential use in integrated disease management strategies.