Influence of Solanaceous Rootstocks on Bacterial Wilt Resistance, Growth and Productivity of Sweet Pepper

Abstract

Bacterial wilt is one of the most devastating soil borne disease of solanaceous crops particularly sweet pepper, chilli, tomato and brinjal in the tropics and subtropics. The present study was conducted to evaluate the best rootstock for sweet pepper variety California Wonder for bacterial wilt resistance under artificial inoculation and to assess growth, yield, quality and bacterial wilt resistance of sweet pepper grafts under field condition. Artificial inoculation of Ralstonia solanacearum was carried out by root dipping method. California Wonder grafted on Haritha rootstock found highly resistant to bacterial wilt but grafting parameters and mean performance of this graft was found poor. The graft combinations of sweet pepper on the rootstocks Capsicum chinense variety Vellayani Thejus and Capsicum annuum variety Ujwala were found superior for grafting parameters, flowering and yield parameters and were resistant to bacterial wilt under artificial inoculation and field condition. So, these rootstocks can be recommended in areas with higher bacterial wilt incidence as well as to get higher yield.