SCREENING AND SELECTION FOR BACTERIAL WILT RESISTANCE IN CHILLI

Abstract

One hundred and forty six chilli accessions. belonging to three Capsicum species, viz., C. annuum, C. frutescens and C. chinense, were screened for resistance to bacterial wilt in the wilt sick soil of the College of Horticulture during 1987-88. Two cluster-fruited accessions, CA 219 and CA 33, were found resistant to bacterial wilt in field evaluations and under artificial inoculations. The resistant accessions were further improved by selection and the two cluster-fruited selections from CA 219, i.e. CA 219-1-19-9 and CA 219-1-19-6, and two from CA 33, i.e. CA 33-1-4-6 and CA 33-1-12-3 were found highly promising for yield with complete resistance to bacterial wilt.