As the disease progresses, the 'honeydew' becomes darker, coalesces, and covers large areas of the cob. Following the honeydew stage, dark brown sclerotia develop and project from between the glumes. Sclerotia yield alkaloids such as ergotin, which can cause 'ergotism' if ingested by animals or humans. In addition to pearl millet, reported hosts of C. fusiformis include Pennisetum purpureum, P. spicatum, P. alopecuras, P. hohenackeri, P. polystachyon, P. ruppelii, Cenchrus ciliaris and Cenchrus setigerus.

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