Screening of China Aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.)] Genotypes and F1 Hybrids against Alternaria Leaf Spot Disease
Takhellambam Henny Chanu *
Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, KRC College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, University of Horticultural Sciences, Karnataka 591 218, India.
Mukund Shiragur
Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, KRC College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, University of Horticultural Sciences, Karnataka 591 218, India.
Sandhyarani Nishani
Department of Bio-Technology and Crop Improvement, KRC College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, UHS Campus, Karnataka 591 218, India.
V. Kantharaju
Department of Plant Pathology, AICRP on Fruits, KRC College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, UHS Campus, Karnataka 591 218, India.
Rudragouda T. Patil
Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, KRC College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, University of Horticultural Sciences, Karnataka 591 218, India.
G. K. Seetharamu
Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, UHS Campus, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560 064, India.
Deelipkumar A. Masuthi
Department of Bio-Technology and Crop Improvement, KRC College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, UHS Campus, Karnataka 591 218, India.
B. C. Patil
Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, KRC College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, University of Horticultural Sciences, Karnataka 591 218, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler is a threat of China aster cultivation and is capable of causing yield losses in all production regions. The experiment was undertaken to screen genotypes and F1 hybrids which would be helpful in developing Alternaria leaf spot resistance varieties in later years. AAC-1 was found to be resistant against Alternaria leaf spot in both field and control conditions. In natural disease pressure, Arka Kamini, Arka Shashank and Arka Poornima recorded to be moderately susceptible, susceptible and highly susceptible to Alternaria leaf spot, respectively. However, in artificially inoculated condition, Arka Kamini showed susceptible reaction. Among F1 hybrids, AAC-1 x Arka Kamini and Arka Kamini x AAC-1 showed moderately resistant reaction; AAC-1 x Arka Poornima, AAC-1 x Arka Shashank, Arka Poornima x AAC-1, Arka Shashank x AAC-1 showed moderately susceptible disease reaction for Alternaria leaf spot.
Keywords: Alternaria leaf spot, China aster, screening, resistance, percent disease intensity