A new leal blight disease caused by Alternaria tenuissima is appearing in alarming proportions in the September-sown crop of pigeonpea in North Bihar. A diverse collection of 306 lines received from various sources was critically screened along with susceptible controls against this disease in the field at Pusa during 1984–1987. Observations were recorded twice and the test material was graded in five groups based on percentage of plants showing infection. Varieties showing immunity or high degree of resistance against blight disease have been identified.
Pigeonpea, leaf blight, resistance
