Understanding the genetic relationship among resistant sources of white rust, a major fungal disease of Brassica juncea

Abstract

In India four oleiferous Brassicas viz., B. juncea, B. napus, B. rapa and B. carinata are cultivated in about 6.18 million ha with a production of 7.36 million tons [1] contributing about 26.8% and 24.7% of the total oilseed production and acrage, respectively. The productivity of this group of crops in India is 1190 kg ha–1 which is far below than the world average (1510 kgha–1). Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss. prominently occupies major area in India contributing more than 80% of the total rapeseed mustard production. Both biotic and abiotic stresses adversely affect the yield of this crop resulting in low productivity. Fungal diseases alone can cause major damage resulting in yield losses upto 70% under natural epiphytotic conditions [2].