Screening of Lathyrus genotypes for resistance against downy mildew and leaf blight diseases

Seventy eight, Lathyrus genotypes were tested against the natural incidences of downy mildew, Peronospora lathyri-palustris Gaumann and Alternaria blight, Alternaria alternata Fr. Keissl diseases. In case of downy mildew, the disease severity ranged from 0.9 – 82.8%, the highest and lowest being in B5-P2LL11 and BK-13-8-2, respectively. Based on reactions to downy mildew, eighteen genotypes were grouped as resistant, 33 as moderately resistant and rest were moderately susceptible tohighly susceptible. In case of Alternaria blight, the disease severity ranged from 0.8 to 80.2%, the highest and lowest being in BK-11-6-7 and BK-15-5-1, respectively. Of the 78 genotypes, nineteen were resistant and 37 moderately resistant to Alternaria blight. Five genotypes were resistant, 12 moderately resistant and 3 moderately susceptible to both thediseases.