Screening of Mucuna pruriens genotypes to root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Mucuna pruriens is a high value medicinal crop grown for its L-DOPA content in seeds used against Parkinson's disease. The crop is susceptible for root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani. A field trial was conducted at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore on an infested soil by Rhizoctonia solani. Thirteen Genotypes of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis were grown till maturity. The genotypes of IIHR selection MP 09 and MP 10 recorded least mortality (2.90%) compared to 23.19% in MP 16 at 20 days after sowing (DAS). MP 09 and MP 10 recorded 4.35% mortality compared to 15.94% mortality in MP 11 at 37 DAS. The mortality rate decreased thereafter. IIHR MP 11 and IIHR MP 16 recorded 5.79% mortality, whereas MP 05 recorded 2.90% mortality at 50 DAS. It could be concluded that IIHR MP 09 and IIHR MP 10 are reasonably resistant to root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani.