Slow rusting and its potential donors for resistance in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Abstract

Lentil rust caused by Uromyces fabae (Pers.) de Bary is one of the major production constraint not only in India but in several other lentil growing countries [1, 2]. Under epidemic conditions, it can cause 70-100% yield losses [3-4]. Although effective chemical control measures are available to control the disease, however, development of resistant varieties is the most economical and eco-friendly means to control the disease. Evaluation of germplasm and advanced breeding lines are essential to identify resistant donors for their utilization in resistance breeding program. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate diverse lentil genetic materials of indigenous and exotic origin at HPKVV, Dhaula Kuan, the hot spot for lentil rust.