Evaluation of pigeonpea genotypes against fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic disease in Gujarat

Fusarium wilt (FW) and sterility mosaic disease (SMD) are two important biotic constraints to pigeonpea production worldwide that can cause loss up to 100 per cent. Host plant resistance is the most durable and economical way to manage these diseases.

Thirty five pigeonpea genotypes comprises [mid early, mid late, dual and hybrid (mid early) group] were evaluated in a fusarium wilt and sterility-mosaic disease-screening nursery at three location viz., Sardarkrushinagar, Bharuch and Vadodara in Gujarat during kharif season 2015-16, to identify genotypes having resistance to both the diseases.

Five genotypes identified in each group of pigeonpea viz; mid early (SKNP1303, SKNP 1021, SKNP 0805, SKNP 0920, SKNP 1004), mid late (SKNP 1233, SKNP 10-34, AAUVT 07-10, AAUVT 09-24, GJP1207) and dual (SKNP-1119, BP 06-33, BP 08- 06, BP 10-03, BP 10-04) and in hybrid (mid early) group only one hybrid i.e. SKNPCH 1211 were found combined resistance to Fusarium wilt and SMD (< 10% disease). These diverse genotypes that are resistant to Fusarium wilt and SMD may be useful in pigeonpea disease resistance breeding programme while hybrid identified as resistance to both the diseases may be recommended for commercial cultivation.