4 



germination of the seed ;md spores takes place. The young seedling 

 then becomes infected between the time of germination of the seed 

 and appearance of the seedling above the ground. As with barley 

 there is no method by which a diseased plant can be distinguished 

 from a healthy one in the field, until the ears are formed when the 

 diseased produce smutted grains. It is not likely that infection 

 takes place from spores in the soil, particularly in Egypt, where the 

 soil is irrigated. This method of watering at intervals, coupled with 

 a variation in the temperature of the soil between one season and 

 another, probably ensures the germination of most of the spores in the 

 soil and their death in the absence of millet seedlings. 



TREATMENT. 



The treatment of this disease must aim at killing the spores 

 adhering to the seed coats by some means which will not. appreciably 

 interfere with the gernrina lion of the seed. There.' ral methods 



of disinfecting the seed, but only two will be considered here because 

 they are as effective as the others and at the same time simpler. 

 They also serve a double purpose as stated below. 



(1) Copper Sulphate. The seed is immersed in a two per cent 

 solution of copper sulphate for ten minutes, spread out on sack- 

 ing or a clean floor and allowed to dry. The seed is then ready for 

 sowing. In some countries the seed is sprinkled with the solution 

 instead of immersing, but the latter is recommended here because: 



(1) any spore-sacs which may be amongst the healthy seed will 

 float on the surface of the liquid and can easily be skimmed off ; 



(2) many of the seeds are attacked by weevil and these also float on 

 the surface of the liquid and can be removed ; (3) the bad seed float 

 on the surface. To do this thoroughly the seed should be stirred for 

 two or three minutes. Even in the absence of Smut it is advisable 

 for the above reasons to immerse the seed in water and after stirring 

 to remove those remaining on the surface. This will save much 

 time, labour, and the cost of resowing. A wooden and not a metal 

 vessel must be used when making the solution. The solution can be 

 used over and over again as long as it is not allowed to evaporate. If 

 the seed is to be put back in the same basket (maqtaf or ghalaq) or 

 sack after treatment, it should be first immersed in the solution so as 

 to prevent the seed becoming contaminated with the spores of the 

 fungus which may be left in the basket or sack. There is no objection 

 to immersing the basket containing the seed in the solution provided 

 the seed is stirred and those that float are removed. 



