Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Vajramma Boggala, TK Narute, Sagar SP and Akshay M

Abstract:
Seed health is an important factor in the control of diseases, as an infected seed exhibits low germination, viability, vigour and yield. Among seed borne mycoflora of groundnut, an infection caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, called dry root rot (DRR) is most devastating due to its polyphagous, seed and soil-borne nature. Managing it with the use of resistant varieties is one of the economically congenial methods. The present study aimed to identify the resistant varieties based on their seed coat colour against Macrophomina infection by using the paper towel method. Out of fifteen varieties, we identified 4 varieties as resistant to infection without any seed mortality, seven varieties were moderately resistant and another 4 varieties were found to be susceptible with 20 percent seed mortality in the repeated experiments. Results revealed a significant reduction in seedling vigour index in red-coloured cultivar i.e., Local variety (89.34%). The lowest reduction in seedling vigour index was found in salmon-coloured cultivar i.e., SB-XI (14.24%).