Screening of papaya cultivars against anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. and Sacc.

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.