Comparative study of pea lines with variable resistance to powdery mildew (Erysiphae polygoni DC) and rust (Uromyces fabae (Pers) de Bary) diseases

Abstract

A comparative study of pea lines with variable resistance to powdery mildew as well as rust diseases and their influence on yield components was carried out. Sixteen lines having different categories of resistance were used in the experiment laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The observations were recorded on various growth and yield parameters. It was observed that the incidence of powdery mildew and rust diseases were negatively associated with the yield components. The resistant lines maintained superiority over susceptible lines with pods per plant, green pod yield per plant and number of seeds per plant. About 44.11% reduction in pod yield was recorded in susceptible lines. Yield per plant and yield per pods was negatively correlated with the disease incidence. Resistant lines were stable with regard to pods per plant. However, susceptible lines were adversely affected with regard to this trait. The qualitative characters such as sweetness were not much associated with disease intensity. Shelling percentage was found to be superior in case of pea line resistant to either of the diseases. In general, the characters like number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and number of seeds per plants were adversely affected by the two diseases. Pod yield per plant was affected more due to rust disease than powdery mildew as the correlation was negative and significant. 73