Heterosis for yield and resistance to bacterial wilt in brinjal

Abstract

Bacterial wilt of brinjal (Solanum malongena L.) caused by Pseudomonas colanacearum E.F Smith is a serious threat to brinjal cultivation all over India. Most of the commercial varieties are highly susceptible to this disease and hence unsuitable for cultivation in wilt endemic areas. Farmers in many places have been forced to abandon cultivation due to heavy incidence of bacterial wilt. Fine cross combinations were made between three resistant varieties (Pusa purple cluster, SM-6 and SMI-10) as ovule parents and each of three commercialbut susceptible varieties (Black beauty, Puma purple long and Puca purple round) as pollen parent , with a view to combine the wilt resistance of the former and high yield potential of the latter. The bacterial pathogen causing wilt in brinjal was isolated. Based on the cultural and physiological characters it was identified as Pseudomonas solanaecearum.