Ergot is a serious endemic disease in most of the sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) producing countries of the wor ld, wi th most recent outbreaks being in central and South Amer ica (Reis et al . 1996). It is caused by the fungus Claviceps spp. Three species are predominant: C. africana is prevalent in southern and eastern Af r ica, South Amer ica, Southeast Asia, Aust ral ia, and India; C. sorghi in India and Southeast Asia; and C. sorghicola in Japan