Abstract:
Seventeen papaya (Carica papaya L.) cultivars were screened against Colletotrichum
gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. and Sacc. causing anthracnose disease o f papaya under
laboratory conditions to identify sources o f resistance for the disease. Papaya fruits o f
different cultivars were brought into the laboratory and ten fruits from each cultivar were
inoculated with a spore suspension o f C. gloeosporioides and incubated for disease
development. Disease severity and the percent disease index (PDI) were calculated. The
reactions o f different cultivars were classified into resistant, moderately resistant,
susceptible and highly susceptible based on PDI. Shillong, Pusa Dwarf, Solo and
Washington varieties were found to have susceptible reactions, while all the other
varieties tested were highly susceptible. Data revealed that there was no variety showing a
resistant or moderately resistant response.
