SCREENING SPECTRUM OF BRINJAL GENOTYPES AGAINST WHITE ROT DISEASE CAUSED BY SCLEROTINIA SCLEROTIORUM (LIB.) DE BARY

Abstract

Brinjal has a relatively long growth period, and it is exposed to a broad range of pests and diseases. Among the various diseases, sclerotinia blight is an important disease which causes loss in both quality and quantity of fruits. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is one of the most devastating soil borne necrotroph with wide host range and has the ability to survive for long periods in the form of sclerotia. Chemicals are widely used with some limitations, to check the growth of various diseases, but their correct dosage is very important to control the pathogen. Use of resistant varieties and understanding the physiology of pathogen can serve as an effective tool, in controlling the diseases in a cost effective and environment friendly approach, which can thereby reduce the usage of chemical fungicides. Under the present investigation an experiment conducted for screening different brinjal genotypes against sclerotinia blight out of fifteen genotypes, six genotypes were found moderately resistant, three genotypes were found moderately susceptible, four genotypes were found susceptible and two genotypes were found highly susceptible to the sclerotinia rot attack. None of the genotypes were found resistant to the sclerotinia blight incidence. Percent disease index values ranged from 85.42 % to 8.33%. The highest PDIwas recorded in the genotype Sel 91-2-1 (85.42 %) and lowest PDI was recorded in Sel 91-2 (8.33%). The maximum average lesion length on stem was found in the genotype BRBL – 02 (7.32 cm) and it was minimum in genotype Sel 91-2 (0.37 cm).