Evaluation of Genotypes and Varieties against Foliar Blight Disease of Onion (Allium cepa L.)

Onion is an important vegetable crop grown all over the world in different seasons. In India, Maharashtra is the main onion producing state followed by Karnataka, Mashya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, onion is grown on an area of 2.85 thousand hectares with production of 65.27 thousand tonnes and productivity of 22.94 t/ha. The crop is affected by a number of diseases in the field as well in storage which reduces its production and productivity. Foliar blight is one such disease which is caused by the association of at least six pathogens viz. are Alternaria porri, A. alternata, A. teneuissima, Stemphylium vesicarium, Colletotrichum circinans and Cladosporium allii-cepae. The present investigations were undertaken for the evaluation of resistance against foliar blight disease. None of the genotypes/varieties tested, showed resistant reaction to onion foliar blight during the first year. Thirty-five varieties showed moderately susceptible reactions with disease intensity varying from 21.23 per cent (Early Supreme) to 28.69 per cent (NRCOG-659), whereas, only four varieties, viz., Brown Spansl, NRCOG-227, Phule Safed and Nasik Dark Red showed susceptible reaction (per cent disease intensity greater than 30.00). Arka Kalyan was the only variety with resistant reaction (7.50 per cent disease intensity) of the twenty-three varieties tested, during the second year, whereas, Brown Spansl was the only variety with per cent disease intensity greater than 30 (susceptible reaction).