Evaluation of resistance sources and inheritance of resistance in kidney bean to Indian virulences of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum

Summary Forty nine common bean lines comprising of exotic accessions and locally grown cultivars evaluated against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum exhibited differential resistance to its races in Himachal Pradesh, a north-western Himalayan state of India. Some exotic accessions like G 2333, Cornell 49242, PI 207262, Mexique 222, TO, Perry Marrow, Kaboon and Widusa were resistant to more than five Indian races, whereas two Indian accessions KRC-5 and Hans showed resistance to six and four races, respectively. However, nine accessions KRC-8, KR-40, KR-43, KR-81, KR-62-2, KR-90, KR-142, KR-148, and KR-216 were resistant to three races. Race specific resistance has been observed in different bean cultivars. Studies on inheritance of resistance in exotic accession G 2333 and Indian accession, KRC-5 showed that two independent dominant genes conferred resistance in G 2333 to race 3 and 515 and a single dominant gene controlled resistance in KRC-5 to race 775, indicating resistance from these sources is easily transferable to the locally adapted susceptible cultivars.     

Response of different pomegranate cultivars to foliar application of potassium nitrate in arid irrigated region of Punjab

Ambe-bahar crop response of four pomegranate cultivars to foliar applications of potassium nitrate (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) in May–June was evaluated at Punjab Agricultural University Regional Research Station, Abohar, Punjab, India, during 2015 and 2016. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design, replicated thrice. Over control, potassium nitrate significantly improved growth and productivity of pomegranate. Different spray concentrations considerably influenced plant volume in Phule Arakta and Ganesh. The differences in fruit yield were non-significant in Bhagwa and Phule Arakta. In Mridula and Ganesh, maximum yield was noted at 1.5% sprays which, however, were statistically comparable to 1% sprays. Fruit quality also varied markedly with the type of cultivar and concentration of spray solution. From the study, it comes out that potassium nitrate sprays at 0.5% in Bhagwa and Phule Arakta is highly beneficial in maintaining higher productivity and quality of fruits. In Mridula and Ganesh, 1% sprays prove more advantageous.