Evaluation of chili germplasm for resistance to bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum

Bacterial wilt incited by Ralstonia solanacearum is a serious threat to economically important crops throughout the world and warrants strict control strategies. Use of resistant cultivars is one of the most important strategies to dispense with the pernicious consequences of chemicals. In the present study, twenty eight chili cultivars were assessed for their relative resistance or susceptibility to a highly virulent strain of R. solanacearum biovar 3 (RsBd6). Two cultivars namely Skyline-II and Hifly appeared highly resistant. Sanam was the only cultivar found to be resistant while twelve cultivars were categorized as moderately resistant to the bacterium. On the other hand, seven cultivars were rated as moderately susceptible and three showed susceptible reaction. Two cultivars, Talhari and Maxi, behaved as highly susceptible and California Wonder was found to be extremely susceptible. In susceptible cultivars, symptoms appeared 4 days after inoculation resulting in complete wilting within 14 days while in resistant and moderately resistant cultivars, no wilting was observed even after 14 days of inoculation. Brown discoloration in vascular systems of highly susceptible plants was also observed. The resistant and moderately resistant cultivars are therefore recommended for cultivation and in developing new resistant chili cultivars.