Downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroët. and smut caused by Moesziomyces penicillariae (Bref.) Vanky are the most important diseases (in that order) limiting the productivity of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] in Asia and Africa (Thakur et al. 1992; Singh et al. 1993). These diseases are more serious on commercial F1 hybrids than on open-pollinated varieties...