Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding
Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium udum is an important
disease of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] in Eastern
and Southern Africa. Wilted plants often fail to give any
yield if attacked early. Several resistant lines have been
reported at International Crop Research Institute for
Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). However, this disease has
not been well studied genetically. This study was
undertaken to determine the mode of inheritance to
Fusarium wilt in lines which are to be utilised as sources
of resistance in the pigeonpea improvement program at
the University of Nairobi. Two resistant lines, NPP 725
and NPP 726 were crossed with a susceptible line NPP
718. A cross was also made between the resistant lines.
The parents, F1 and F2 generations were tested alongside
the backcross generations in wilt-sick soil boxes in the
glasshouse. Qualitative genetic analyses indicated
resistance in both lines to be dominant over susceptibility
and controlled by two genes. In the line NPP 725, the
gene interaction was inhibitory while in NPP 726, it was
complementary. The allelic test between NPP 725 and
NPP 726 established independence in these genes.
Planned hybridization and backcrossing into local cultivars
Is already in progress.
Keywords: Pigeon pea, Fusarium wilt, genetics, complementary, inhibiting, non-allelic
Year: 2002
Volume: 62
Issue: 3
Article DOI: NA
Print ISSN: 0019-5200
Online ISSN: 0975-6906
M. A. Okiror info_circle
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