Screening of mungbean germplasm for powdery mildew disease resistance

Abstract Absence of resistance against diseases and insect pests in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] varieties, is one of the main reasons for their low yield. During the Kharif season, powdery mildew epidemic damages the crop in most of the mungbean growing areas. For the purpose of identifying resistance/tolerance in mungbean germplasm, a disease screening nursery, comprising of 374 test entries, was developed. Screening was done under natural environmental conditions in 2010 at University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore, India against powdery mildew disease. Out of 374 test entries 6 were highly resistant, 68 showed resistance, 47 moderately resistant, 50 moderately susceptible, 99 susceptible and 104 were highly susceptible. The resistant ones can be exploited in breeding programme to develop high yielding varieties of mungbean.