Screening of traditional chilli cultivars of Kashmir for Fusarium wilt resistance

Chilli is an important crop grown worldwide for fresh fruits used as vegetable and spice production. The major chilli growing countries are India, China, Korea, Nigeria, U.S.S.R. Mexico, etc. Wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum is a major problem in all chilli growing areas of India leading to heavy yield loss. Being a soil-borne pathogen, chemical control is difficult and non-economical. Cultivation of wilt resistant cultivars has proved to be an effective strategy to minimise the loss. Capsicum spp. is widely distributed and cultivated in tropical region with 27 species among which Capsicum annuum L. is predominately grown across the India and is a major food spices. The production of chilli is devastatingly hindered by the Fusarium wilt. A total of 32 local cultivars were collected from the different locations of Kashmir valley including one identified exotic variety and were screened for resistance against Fusarium wilt. Out of 32 cultivars six cultivars viz. SKUA-SHC-1, SKUA-SHC-2, SKUA-SHC-14, SKUA-SHC-15, Arka Lohit and SKUA-SHC-29 showed highly resistant reaction against the wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum.