I. Drabo, E.Y. Danquah, R.G. Zangre1, K. Ofori, J.R. Witcombe, C. T. Hash Disease incidence, latent period, field survey, isolates, virulence 2-11 7 (1) 2023 January 2023 Downy mildew (DM) status is not well documented in Burkina Faso, however it is the first disease observed on pearl millet. A field survey was conducted in the major pearl millet growing areas in 2015 rainy season to assess the prevalence of DM on farm and to collect isolates for characterization. Thirty-four pearl millet fields in 34 villages were assessed. Nine isolates were collected and maintained on the susceptible line. All the fields surveyed were infested by DM with a disease incidence ranging from 4.3–69.0%. Differential reactions to the DM isolates were found among the genotypes used in the screening. The DM isolates were clustered in three virulence groups corresponding to three different pathotypes. The most virulent isolates (DM5, DM15 and DM14) of each pathotype group was selected for use in screening of pearl millet lines for the development of DM resistant line in Burkina Faso. To avoid rapid breakdown of the resistance of varieties, they must be resistant to at least two different pathotypes. Therefore, gen pyramiding strategy must be used. As the pathogen goes through sexual reproduction, some recombination occurs with the risk of appearance of new pathotypes after each cycle of reproduction. Therefore, a regular monitoring mechanism of the pathogen must be in place to control the disease.