Genetic Resistance to Blast Disease in Finger Millet Genotypes under Greenhouse Conditions
Abstract
Blast caused by Pyricularia grisea (anamorph Magnaporthe grisea) is a destructive fungus causing significant yield loss in finger millet (Eleusine coracana). The objective of this study was to determine the resistance of finger millet varieties to blast. Twelve diverse genotypes from International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Kenya Gene Bank, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and local accessions were evaluated for blast resistance under greenhouse conditions. The genotypes, including resistant Gulu-E and susceptible KNE 741 were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results revealed that effects due to genotypes were significant (P<0.001) for days to heading, maturity, height, finger number, panicle weight, 1000-kennel weight, neck area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), finger length, yield and biomass of genotypes. Disease severity index (DSI) on neck blast showed that genotypes SMDF 1702, IE2183 and variety snapping purple were resistant while U15, KNE 1034, KNE1124x796 and KatFm1xu151.6.6.3.1.1 4 were moderately resistant with severity of 13%. Basing on DSI of leaf blast, genotypes KatFm1xu151.6.6.3.1.1, KNE 1034 and SMDF 1702 were resistant and KNE 629 and Kal Pader were moderately resistant. In this study, correlation coefficient indicated that there was a significant (r=-0.390*) negative correlation of neck blast to 1000 kernel weight and yield. Panicle weight had a significant (r=0.353*) positive relationship with yield. These results indicated that Kenyan germplasm has high potential for blast resistant breeding and provided a basis for selecting resistant genetic stock for improving finger millet varieties.
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