Evaluation of resistance against anthracnose (Colletotrichum capsiciandC. gloeosporioides) in chilli landraces collected from the northeastern region of India

Abstract

AbstractAnthracnose or fruit rot disease caused byColletotrichumspp. leads to substantial economic losses in chilli (Capsicum annuumL.) production worldwide. In the present study, 24 different Bhut Jolokia chilli landraces and sevenCapsicum annuumcultivars have been collected from the northeastern region of India and subsequently screened underin vitroandin vivoconditions againstColletotrichum capsiciandC. gloeosporiodesinfections. During field evaluation, eight chilli genotypes (CC0164, CC0165, CC0191, CC0192, CC0202, CC0206, CC0209 and CC0218) were highly resistant and 12 genotypes (CC0154, CC0179, CC0181, CC0183, CC0186, CC0189, CC0193, CC0198, CC0205, CC0210, CC0213 and CC0217) were found in resistant category againstC. capsiciinfection. Duringin-vitrogermplasm evaluation, 11 and 12 landraces were found to be highly resistant toC. capsiciandC. gloeosporioidesinfections, respectively. According to the findings, the majority of Bhut Jolokia chilli landraces are resistant to anthracnose. Given the difficulties farmers experience as a result of excessive use of fungicides and pesticides, germplasm screening for host resistance has already begun. The resistant lines identified in the current study offers better choices to tackle anthracnose and could be used effectively in breeding programs to develop anthracnose resistant varieties.