SCREENING OF TOMATO INBREDS AND THEIR F1S AGAINST EARLY BLIGHT (Alternaria solani)

Early blight (EB) caused by fungus Alternaria solani, is a destructive fungal disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in India and elsewhere. 43 genotypes (13 lines and 30 their F1s) of tomato were screened for early blight disease resistance by artificial inoculation using detached leaf method. The test genotypes under artificial conditions were grouped into four distinct categories based on Percentage Disease Index (PDI) at 7 days after inoculation. Two F1s H-24 × Floradade and Fla 7171× Floradade showed resistant reaction with PDI ranging from 12.6 to 25%; whereas nine F1s were moderately resistant (PDI 25.1-37.5%). The disease reaction (PDI) in other 18 ranged between 37.5-50% and categorized as susceptible. One F1 was found highly susceptible with PDI more than 50%.