Water Culture Wilt Screening Technique: a Rapid, Repeatable and Reliable in Vitro Technique for Assessment of Host Resistance in Pigeonpea Against Wilt Caused by Fusarium Udum
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium udum, poses a significant threat to pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), which is one of the most important leguminous crops cultivated in semi-arid regions.Availability of suitable screening techniques is the key for exploiting host resistance in managing this disease.This study focuses on development of suitable, rapid, reliable and repeatable in vitro screening method to evaluate the host resistance in pigeonpea genotypes against Fusarium wilt.An in vitro screening method, namely water culture method was developed to identify resistant genotypes against Fusarium udum causing wilt in pigeonpea by screening 60 genotypes against the pathogen.These genotypes were firstly screened in wilt sick plot during Kharif 2024 and their response was recorded.Further assessment of the genotypes was attempted in this new technique.The age of seedlings and concentration of the pathogen culture were crucial factors and were standardised for effective expression of the disease by seedlings under suitable pathogen load.Seven days old seedlings and seven days old 10 per cent pathogen culture were found most ideal with highest disease expressions and reliability of results.Sixty pigeonpea genotypes seedlings were raised immersed in test tubes containing pathogen suspension (10 %).The observations for wilt incidence were recorded at seven days after incubation.The results of in vitro screening were compared with field screening.Out of 60 genotypes only two genotypes (ICP x 140203-B1 and ICP 8863) remained resistant both in field as well as water culture screening method.All the genotypes that were moderately resistant in sick plot remained moderately resistant in water culture method and additional seven genotypes (IC 405218, PT-0012, WRG 443, PA-6, WRG 225, LRG 489 and PT-12-19-2) that were moderately resistant in field screening turned out to be susceptible under this in vitro assessment.The rest of 23 genotypes were found susceptible in field screening remained susceptible under in vitro water culture method of assessment.The experiments were repeated thrice and found highly reliable in their outcomes and helpful in employing assessment of large number of pigeonpea genotypes against F. udum in breeding programmes.This in vitro water culture method shall be employed as confirmatory test especially for preliminary screening of large number of pigeonpea genotypes for short listing potential genotypes for further field screening instead of whole material evaluation which is time, space and cost consuming.This new method provides assured and confirmed results on true behaviour of pigeonpea genotypes against F. udum.
Source: PLANT ARCHIVES
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4408473254