ICRISAT
IPM project 08: Host-plant resistance for the management of foliar diseases in groundnut
Duration: 3 year (2004 –2007)
Purpose: The purpose of the project is to incorporate resistance to rust and late
leaf spot diseases in high yielding elite groundnut cultivars suitable for IPM
in diverse agro-eco regions.
Background/description: Foliar diseases such as late leaf spot (LLS) (Phaeoisariopsis personata)
and rust (Puccinia arachidis)
are the most serious fungal diseases of groundnut (Arachis
hypogaea S.), especially in the rainy season
crop. These fungi cause severe yield losses of up to 70%, particularly when
they occur together. They also affect the seed quality and fodder value of the
plants. Although foliar diseases can be effectively controlled using
fungicides, these are costly and not readily available to subsistence farmers,
who also lack the technical expertise to use chemicals effectively. Breeding
for resistance is therefore a key strategy in reducing yield losses due to
foliar diseases. Many efforts have been made earlier to exploit genetic
resistance to foliar diseases, which led to the identification of several
sources of resistance to rust and LLS in cultivated and wild Arachis germplasm, but very
few of them were agronomically acceptable. Therefore,
systematic screening of groundnut germplasm and
breeding lines was initiated in field and laboratory to incorporate resistance
in high-yielding elite groundnut cultivars suitable for different
agro-ecosystems.
Agroecozone(s) and location(s): SAT in Asia and
Expected
outputs: Elite groundnut
varieties with resistance to rust and late leaf spot in diverse genetic
backgrounds suitable for various agro-eco regions identified.
Potential impact and beneficiaries: Primary beneficiaries are small-scale
farmers, who cannot afford to use chemical control methods to manage foliar
diseases, and would reduce the dependence on harmful fungicides. Since this
method of disease control is seed-based, it is easy for farmers to adopt, and
is eco-friendly.
Partners:
Development investor(s): DFID.
ICRISAT contact person(s)/principal investigator(s): Farid Waliyar f.waliyar@cgiar.org; website http://www.icrisat.org