Screening of Some Indigenous and Exotic Mulberry Varieties against Major Foliar Fungal and Bacterial Diseases

Fifty-six indigenous and twenty nine exotic mulberry varieties were screened against powdery mildew, Myrothecium leaf spot, Pseudocercospora leaf spot, sooty mold and bacterial leaf spot for a period of three years under field condition. The percent disease index (PDI) was recorded during peak season of the foliar diseases. Out of eighty-five varieties studied, ten varieties were highly resistant and eight were resistant to powdery mildew; six varieties were immune and seventy-eight varieties were highly resistant to Myrothecium leaf spot; sixty varieties were highly resistant and 21 were resistant to Pseudocercospora leaf spot; forty four varieties were highly resistant to sooty mold and two varieties were immune and fifty-eight were highly resistant to bacterial leaf spot. Lowest cumulatative disease index was observed in M. multicaulis (7.28) followed by Thailand lobed (7.85) and Italian mulberry (8.06).