Evaluation of Different Mandarin Varieties for Resistance to Prominent Diseases of Citrus

Thirty-five mandarin varieties were evaluated against four prominent diseases of citrus. Five varieties viz. Mandarin East India, Coorg, King (Abhor), Calamondin, and Narangi were resistant, Khansi and Chandel mandarin were susceptible and rest of the varieties were found moderately resistant to root rot disease (Phytophthora spp.). Oceola mandarin, Citrus china and Narangi were found resistant to the twig blight. All the 35 varieties showed moderately resistance to gummosis. In case of sooty mould (Capnodium citri), Narangi was resistant and 3 varieties viz. Butwal, Siz-in-com and Calamondin showed moderately resistant reaction. Narangi was the only variety with multiple disease resistance against all the four diseases. Since the varieties were evaluated continuously for six seasons, those showing consistent resistance reaction could be used as an inter rootstock, that could be included in breeding programme for commercial cultivation.