Identification of new sources of resistance to rust and late leaf spot in peanut

A total of 979 germplasm accessions was screened for resistance to rust and late leaf spot in preliminary field trials at ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, India during 1989-1990. Selected genotypes were further evaluated in separate advanced screening trials conducted with erect bunch [Spanish (var. vulgaris) and Valencia (var. fastigiata)], spreading bunch [Virginia bunch (var. hypogaea)], and runner [Virginia runner (var. hypogaea)] types during 1991-1993. Thirty-eight genotypes (21 erect bunch, 5 spreading bunch, and 12 runner) were identified as resistant to rust, and seven (five erect bunch and two runner) to late leaf spot. Four genotypes (ICG Nos 6843, 10890, 11567, and 12112) showed resistance to both rust and late leaf spot; ICG 10881 and ICG 11567 belong to the Spanish bunch group. Two genotypes [BPZ 691 and 259-2 (Red)] showed high level of resistance to late leaf spot, but were only moderately resistant to rust. The characteristic features of these sources of resistance are described, and the importance of their utilization in resistance breeding is discussed.