Genetic Behaviour of Bacterial Wilt Resistance in Brinjal (<i>Solanum melongena</i> L.) in Tropics of Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India

Abstract

Brinjal or eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.) is severely affected by bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanecearum in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Resistant varieties are most suitable option to reduce crop losses from bacterial wilt but knowledge of resistance mechanism and its inheritance is important to develop resistant varieties. Further, majority of germplasm from mainland India showed susceptible reaction under Andaman conditions. Thus, the present study was done during 2010-2012 to understand the genetic behaviour of bacterial wilt resistance in brinjal “CARI-B-1” (R) × “Pusa Purple Long” (S) in hot humid tropical climate of Andaman Islands. For this, the population from single F 1 fruit was advanced to F 2 and F 3 and recorded the reaction of segregating population in the sick plots. The results revealed that there is preponderance of recessive gene family wherein more than one gene acts in additive mode. Another cross between S. torvum (R) × Diglipur local collection (S) also showed the recessive gene action for resistance as observed in F 2 generation. Besides, the study also advocated that mechanisms of resistance, escape with early resistance and progressive escape have been found to be operating in individuals of segregating population.