Screening for resistance to gummy stem blight, powdery mildew and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.]

Investigations were carried out to identify the source of resistance in 67 bottle gourd genotypes for gummy stem blight, powdery mildew and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) diseases, under natural field epiphytotic conditions. The genotypes BG-95 (105.13), BG-114-1 (131.04), BG-114-3 (208.81) and BG-77-6-1 (221.80) were resistant for gummy stem blight with low AUDPC values, while, BG-125-5 (232.22), BG-6-3 found (250.00), BG-125-4 (307.78), BG-8-1 (308.89), BG-125-2 (311.11) and BG-124-2 (423.33) resistant with low AUDPC values for powdery mildew. Further, the two genotypes such as IIHR-19 and BG- 131 showed field level resistance against CGMMV. The selected genotypes based on field evaluation were subjected for artificial screening under glass house conditions. The genotypes, recorded consistent resistant reactions were BG-114-3, BG-77-6-1 and BG-95 for gummy stem blight disease and BG-6-3, BG-8-1, BG-125-4 and BG-125-2 for powdery mildew. The stable and durable source of resistance identified for gummy stem blight and powdery mildew in bottle gourd genotypes will hasten the process of developing resistance varieties in bottle gourd.