EVALUATION OF RAPESEED-MUSTARD GERMPLASM AGAINST ALTERNARIA LEAF BLIGHT UNDER LOCAL FIELD CONDITIONS

Abstract

Rapeseed-mustard is the second most important oilseed crop after soybean. The two species of Brassicaceae family Brasica napus L. and B. rapa L gain the great importance from world’s commerce as the seed of both species contain about 40% oil content with 35-40% meal protein. There are many pathogens involve in the reduction of crop yield, Alternaria leaf blight is one of them. Among genus Alternaria, A. brassicae, A. brassicola, and A. raphai are important species from economic concerns throughout the world. The screening of rapeseed-mustard varieties/lines was carried at Regional Agriculture Research Institute (RARI), Bahawalpur. Total 28 varieties/lines were screened out against Alternaria leaf blight under field conditions. Normal agronomic practices were followed during the experiment. The pathogen was isolated from diseased plants and purified by using Single Spore Technique under aseptic conditions. It was noticed from the experiment that 8 varieties/lines showed moderately susceptible response while 16 were susceptible and 4 were highly susceptible. Among these 28 no varieties/lines showed highly resistant or resistant response. This study can be helpful for researchers to enhance the production potential of rapeseed-mustard in future.