Identification of resistant sources in sesame germplasm to major diseases

Abstract

Root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid is the destructive disease in sesame. Foliar diseases viz., phyllody, Alternaria leaf blight and powdery mildew cause major threat in sesame cultivation. About two hundred sesame germplasm were screened for major diseases viz., root rot, phyllody, Alternaria leaf blight and powdery mildew under field conditions. The sesame germplasm viz., SI-2116 (18.4%), SIC-17326 (18.2%) and IS-351-2 (19.7%) were found to be moderately resistant to root rot disease. None of the germplasm recorded less than 10% of root rot disease incidence among the 200 germplasms screened. The maximum root rot disease incidence of 64.8% was observed in the susceptible check VRI -1(64.8%). Phyllody disease was found to be the lowest of 5.7% in sesame germplasm viz., EC-303440-B. Powdery mildew disease ranged from 0 to 2 grade and Alternaria leaf spot disease was observed in the range of 1 to 3 grade.