Host specific races of Phelipanche aegyptiaca

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to identify the distinct races in Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers.) parasitizing different crops in Banda district of Provision Uttar Pradesh, Republic of India. One hundred isolates of O. aegyptiaca infecting brinjal were randomly collected from different fields of Banda district. The collected seeds (isolates) were used to inoculate in a set of nine differential hosts. The inoculated plant with one or more emerged broomrape spikes was designated as susceptible (+), whereas, the host plant without spike was designated as non-host (-). Two physiological races of Orobanche aegyptiaca were found. Race A of O. aegyptiaca infected all the differential host plants whereas, race B only infected eggplant, chili, fenugreek, mustard, chickpea and tomato. Carrot, linseed and sunflower were not hosts of race B. These findings showed that the Race-A is more virulent on brinjal, tomato, and mustard crops as compared Race-B. Whereas, Race-B is more virulent on chickpea. To the best of our knowledge, so far no information is available regarding the parasitism on fenugreek and linseed. Hence this document served the first report of P. aegyptiaca infection on fenugreek and linseed from India as well as abroad. These findings may be useful in the management practices like in crop rotation and development of the species or race specific resistant varieties of brinjal.