Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Gireesha D, Virupaksha Prabhu H, PV Patil, SK Deshpande and JA Hosmath

Abstract:
Cowpea stem and root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. is a major threat to cowpea cultivation. The disease can cause significant yield losses by infecting the seedlings and adult plants. In addition to reducing yields, the disease also weakens cowpea plants' ability to fix nitrogen, which further increases the pathogen's population in the soil. The greatest approach to managing the cowpea root rot is the host plant resistance since it is both cost-effective and environmentally beneficial. In order to identify sources of genetic resistance to stem and root rot incited by M. phaseolina, 154 genotypes of cowpea were screened during rabi 2021-22 under sick plot condition in the field at MARS, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Out of the 154 genotypes evaluated for their response to stem and root rot in cowpea, five genotypes (EC 724876, EC 724787, EC 724930, EC 240744, IC 625969) exhibited a resistant reaction, while 29 genotypes displayed a moderately resistant response. In contrast, 56 genotypes were moderately susceptible to the disease and the remaining 64 genotypes were identified as susceptible to M. phaseolina. These genotypes can also be used as a source of resistance in breeding programmes to create root rot-resistant cultivars.