Identification and inheritance of a new gene for powdery mildew resistance in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Powdery mildew (PM) is one of the important foliar diseases of mungbean. Resistance sources have been identified in India and the inheritance studies showed that complete resistance (RO) was controlled by two dominant genes, Pm1 , Pm2 . The breakdown of complete resistance (RO) into moderate resistance (R2) by race-2 (Akola) has been reported. It is assumed that the change in resistance reaction is due to a mutation in the pathogen. The present investigation was carried out with a view to screen germplasm, cultivars and mutants for identification of complete resistance (RO) sources against race-2 and to study their inheritance. 'Mulmarada', a local mungbean cultivar from Maharashtra state of India was identified as a complete resistance (RO) source for race-2. The inheritance of Mulmarada's resistance (RO) was studied. The F₁ and the segregation in F₂ and F₃ showed that the complete resistance (RO) in 'Mulmarada' is controlled by a single dominant gene, which is different from the earlier identified Pm1 and Pm2 resistance genes. Mulmarada's resistance gene is designated as Pm3 for PM resistance.