Combining ability and heterosis for resistance to leaf blight disease in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Gen and Coss]

Abstract

Leaf blight [C.O. Alternaria brassieae (Berk.) Sacco and/or Alternaria brassieola (Schw.) Wilt], the most destructive and wide spread disease of Indian mustard [Brassiea juneea (L.) Gen and Coss] in India including tarai ecological zone of West Bengal [1], causes 10-70% crop loss [2-3]. The use of resistant cultivar could substantially minimize the loss. As the resistance in the mustard cultivars is threatened due to evolution of new races of the pathogen [4], incorporation of disease resistance through breeding to the agronomically superior cultivar using diverse sources of resistance will be the most effective strategy. The present investigation was, therefore, carried out to understand the pattern of inheritance of leaf blight in Indian mustard.