Evaluation of bacterial wilt resistant brinjal lines and field performance of bacterial wilt resistant brinjal varieties in the coastal region

Abstract

Bacterial wilt disease in brinjal caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a major production constraint in Coastal regions of India. Among various management strategies, cultivation of resistant varieties is the most effective one. In this study, we screened 17 recombinant inbred lines for bacterial wilt resistance in green house followed by evaluation in the field for two years. Fifteen lines showed resistance to bacterial wilt. Two lines, 27-7-2 and 42-7-1 designated as Goa Brinjal-5 and Goa Brinjal-6 were released for bacterial wilt management as they exhibited 0 to 0.83 percent wilt and a yield of 0.76-0.84 Kg/plant. Field evaluation of six bacterial wilt resistant varieties for 2 years indicated that the wilt incidence was less than 3 percent while it was above 95 percent in the susceptible cultivars. Demonstration of six varieties in farmer's field indicated that wilt incidence was less than 4 percent in the varieties compared to 77-82 percent in susceptible cultivars.