IDENTIFICATION OF ROOT ROT RESISTANCE SOURCES IN COMMON BEAN

摘要

The identification of sources of resistance to root rot pathogens has been considered as a research priority by the Legume Program of INIAP - Ecuador. The latter conclusion was based on observing and documenting a high incidence and damage of root diseases on beans throughout the major production areas in Ecuador. Unfortunately, crop rotation practices to reduce root pathogens and their damage have not been well accepted by farmers, since there is limited land available and high demand for bean consumption. Additionally, seed treatment with effective fungicides is not frequently used by producers and is neither recommended by extension educators due to the high toxicity of available products, thus the potential health risk to handlers and consumers. Accordingly, this investigation was initiated to identify bean genotypes with high levels of resistance to the major root pathogens in Ecuador, Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani.