Abstract
Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum has become a serious threat to the profitable cultivation of aubergine in Pakistan. Management of the disease is mainly relied on chemicals and their use is often fraught with health risks. The hazardous effects of pesticides can be dispensed with using non-chemical strategies and resistant cultivars can prove a promising alternative. In the present study, twenty four aubergine cultivars were assessed for their resistance to bacterial wilt. Assessment of cultivars on the basis of disease index showed that none of the cultivar was immune, highly resistant or resistant to R. solanacearum. Thirteen genotypes viz. Neeli, Saravan, Purple Round, Black Round, Neelum, Kenha 91, Karishna, Violet Prince, Black Beauty, Shamli, Black Nagina, Twinkle Star and Kalash F 1 were found moderately resistant. Six genotypes viz. Dilnasheen, Black Long, Nirala, Purple Long, Pusa Purple and Black Beauty Long were observed as moderately susceptible while three genotypes namely Purple Queen, Purple Rani and Luffa were found susceptible. Two cultivars viz. Bemissal and Eggplant Round were detected as highly susceptible. The resistant and moderately resistant cultivars are therefore, recommended for cultivation under integrated production systems and in developing new resistant aubergine cultivars.