Identification and Validation of Resistance to Fusarium Wilt and Sterility Mosaic Disease in Pigeonpea

摘要

Fusarium wilt (FW) and Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) are the two important diseases of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) worldwide, and best managed through host plant resistance. The aim of the work was to identify and validate new sources to wilt and SMD in pigeonpea. Preliminary evaluation of 3000 germplasm and breeding lines was carried out at International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) for FW and SMD resistance in sick plot during 2005/06 crop season to 2007/08. Sixty lines with < 10% FW and SMD incidence were selected from 3000 germplasm and breeding lines and these lines were evaluated repeatedly for three consecutive years during 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 crop seasons for their stability against both the diseases. Fifty-four lines were found resistant to FW and high level of resistance to SMD was found in all the 60 lines. Combined resistance to FW and SMD was found in 54 lines, of which, one line (ICPL 20108) was found asymptomatic. These resistant lines can be exploited for crossing with commercial cultivars to develop pigeonpea varieties with adequate levels of multiple resistances to enhance pigeonpea production in the Indian subcontinent.