Screening of Fusarium Wilt, Bacterial Blight and Phyllody Diseases Resistant Sesame Genotypes in Sesame Growing Areas of Northern Ethiopia

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the level of resistance of different genotypes, to study the incidence and severity of bacterial blight, fusarium wilt and phyllody and to select bacterial blight, fusarium wilt and phyllody resistant genotypes across six locations and two years. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Designs (RCBD) with three replications across all environments. Assessment was conducted on seventeen sesame genotypes in northern Ethiopia during 2014-2015 main seasons. 75, 70 and 25 percent diseases incidence and 50, 50, 10 percent severity of bacterial blight, fusarium wilt and phyllody was recorded respectively. The assessment result indicated that bacterial blight showed about 62.5, 30, 25, 22.5, 20 and 12.5 combined mean percent diseases incidence and 37.5, 32.5, 25,,15,10 and 7.5 combined mean percent disease severity was recorded in Humera, Kebabo, Gendawuha, Sheraro, Maykadra, Wargiba respectively. Fusarium wilt was recorded from 5%-42.5%, and 7.5 to 25 to combined percent disease incidence and severity was recorded across locations. Phyllody was recorded 2.5 to 17.5%, and 2.5 to 7.5 percent disease incidence and severity respectively. ACC202514, HuRC-4, Abuseffa, HuRC-3, Acc 202300, Acc111824, Acc 27913 and Setit -1 were among the highest resistant (HR) sesame genotypes for phyllody disease. From 0-100% Sesame bacteria blight severity was recorded among genotypes and HuRc-4, HuAC-3 and the standard check (Setit -1) were among the highest resistant (HR) sesame genotypes. Fusarium severity was recorded from 5%-100% range among genotypes. HuRC-2, Acc 227880, Setit -1, Hirhir, HuRC-3, HuRC-4 and ACC202514 were among the resistant (R) sesame genotypes. Whereas Gumero, Acc 202300, Kefif, Acc 111518, Land race Gumero were the highest susceptible (HS) genotypes for fusarium disease across the tested environments and years. From the assessment result indicated that HuRC-4 and HuRC3 genotypes were found resistant to bacterial blight, fusarium wilt and phyllody. Those genotypes could be used for diseases resistant breeding program across different locations. HuRC-4 was evaluated by the national technical committee and it was found relatively resistant and high yielder among the genotypes. Therefore it was released as variety for commercial production to all the tested areas.