Evaluation of wheat genotypes for resistance against spot blotch disease

Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem is most important disease of wheat in North Eastern plain zones (NEPZ) representing warm and humid climate in India. It is also increasing in North Western plains zones (NWPZ), due to climate changes and causes considerable losses in susceptible varieties. A field study was conducted during Rabi, 2011-12 and 2012-13 crop seasons at Main Experiment Station, NDUA and T, Kumarganj, Faizabad to test the resistance of 250 genotypes against Bipolaris sorokiniana under artificial epiphytotics conditions. Each genotype was sown in last week of November in single row of one meter length. Variety Raj 4015 was used as check and was sown after every 20 genotypes. Pure culture of pathogenwas inoculatedon genotypesby using cleaned sprayer, at evening. Disease data was recorded using double digit scale based on per cent blighted area on flag leaf and one leaf just below. Out of 250 genotypes, one namely KARAWANI/4NIF-3/SOTY/NAD63/CHRIS was found immune, 20 genotypes were found resistant, 146 were moderately resistant, 75 were moderately susceptible and 8 were found susceptible against spot blotch disease of wheat.