Yield losses by alternaria blight in promising genotypes of Indian mustard

Abstract

important rabi (post rainy) oilseed crops of the country. Alternaria blight [Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc.] is an important disease causing great losses to this crop (2). All the above ground parts of the plant are affected. Since suitable resistant sources are not available to this disease, fungicidal sprays were used for production of quality seed in the past (6). In the present study, losses due to Alternaria blight in a few mustard genotypes under protected and unprotected conditions have been studied. Five promising genotypes viz. PAB 9534 and PAB 9511 (Pantnagar), JMM 915 (Morena), RN 490 (Navgaon) and Varuna (Kanpur) were sown in rabi season during 1999-2000 and 2000-01. Varuna and PAB 9511 were used as susceptible and