In Vitro Screening of Cotton Genotypes for Fusarium Wilt Resistance Using Fusaric Acid

摘要

Wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum (FOV) is one of the limiting factor in desi cotton cultivation in India. The disease is reported to cause losses to the extent of 5-60 per cent in diploid cotton species i.e. Gossypium arboreum and G. herbaceum (Dastur et al. 1960). Due to soil borne nature of the pathogen the disease is difficult to manage. The development of disease resistant genotypes is surest and cheapest method. A technique for screening of diploid cotton genotypes against Fusarium wilt was developed which is well known as "Poona technique" (Uppal, 1938). This technique is still followed today at All India Coordinated Cotton Improvement Project, Pune Centre for assessing the cotton genotypes against wilt. However, this method is laborious and time consuming, requiring about 9-10 months. Also, well developed and maintained wilt sick plot and glasshouse facilities are prime requirements for this technique.