Research program emphasizes a comprehensive approach to managing pearl millet rust.
Alternative strategies such as slow-rusting resistance and heterogeneity for resistance in the host population are being investigated. Studies on gene pool management, virulence diversity within the pathogen population, and forage and grain losses of pearl millet with rust infection have resulted in formulating the dynamic multiline population approach to breeding for rust resistance. New sources of rust resistance have been identified and released as germplasms for rapid distribution to breeders and pathologists. Conversion of pearl millet landraces from Burkina Faso is providing new, adapted crop germplasm. This research contributes to goals of defining core collections for the major crops.