Abstrakt: |
Bacterial wilt is a serious disease that causes severe yield losses in eggplant. Grafting is gaining importance in managing this disease efficiently. A total of thirty-one genotypes were evaluated for bacterial wilt resistance caused by the Ralstonia solanacearaum species complex. Solanum torvum, Solanum melongena cv. CARI-1, Utkal Anushree, Arka Nidhi, Arka Anand, IIHR-B-NE-1, IIHR-B-NE-3, IC0598430-5-22-4 Arka Harshitha, Swetha, and Surya were found to be resistant to bacterial wilt. Out of these, seven highly resistant genotypes were evaluated as rootstocks through grafting with two scions VNR-212 (F1 hybrid) and Arka Neelachal Shyama (Open-pollinated variety). Grafting had a significant impact on the vigor, flowering and yield of both scions. An increase of yield by 69.23 % and 33.46% under laterite acidic soils along with reduced severity of bacterial wilt was observed in grafted eggplant on CARI-1 rootstock over both the non-grafted scions viz., VNR-212 and Arka Neelachal Shyama, respectively. Further evaluation of CARI-1 as rootstock for different commercial scions (Arka Neelachal Shyama, VNR-212, VNR-B5, Akriti, Akshita, Soham, Brinjal No. 38) also showed significant yield enhancement and bacterial wilt resistance. Hence, CARI-1 as root stock is of substantial value in regions where bacterial wilt pressure is a limiting factor for cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |