Ram Devi Timila
Plant Pathology Division, Khumaltar, Lalitpur

 

Abstract

Cultivation of Brassica vegetables specially cauliflower and cabbage is one of the important income generating livelihood options to the farmers. Clubroot disease (Plasmodiophora brassicae Worinin) is causing huge losses in cabbage and cauliflower production. Use of resistant varieties is the easiest, safest and cheapest method to combat with disease. No resistant varieties against this disease have been identified yet in Nepal. During 2005 to 2007, seedling screening of didderent Brassica vegetables collected from local market and Agriculture Research Stations was conducted under screen house at Khumaltar. Likewise, during 2008-2010 a set of ten resistant cauliflower and cabbage hybrids from Syngenta Seeds were verified for seedling and adult plant resistance Screen house and in infested farmers' field at Bhaktapur. A scale of 1-6 was used for assessing the Clubroot severity. Of the Brassicas evaluated, radish genotypes and broad leaf mustard cv. Marpha Chaudapat were found resistant. Cauliflower hybrids: Clapton A, Clapton B, Clarify A, Clarify B and cabbage hybrids: Tekila, Kilazol, Kilaherb, Kilaton and Kilaxy were found highly resistant (score 1) while susceptible cauliflower check Milky Way scored more than 3. Cauliflower hybrid, Tetris was found moderately resistant. Marketable curd yield of those resistant hybrids cauliflower and cabbage ranged from 22 to 39 Kg and 20 to 27 Kg per 5m² respectively. The use of those resistant hybrids could be the non chemical tool for the management of clubroot disease. However, seed should be made available in the market through concerned agencies.

Keywords: Brassica vegetables, Clubroot, Resistant, Screening,