Assessing the Resistance of Different Varieties and Germplasms against Cumin Blight Caused by Alternaria burnsii

Abstract

Cumin is a highly valuable spice crop which is widely used for flavoring food, as well as in herbal medicine, due to its distinctive aroma. However, cumin production faces several challenges, as infestation with Alternaria blight caused by Alternaria burnsii. Efforts have been made over time to screen and identify cumin varieties and germplasms that are resistant to this blight disease. Host plant resistance is considered an effective, economical, and environmentally friendly method for controlling plant diseases. Forty varieties and germplasms were screened under field conditions to find out the source of resistance to Alternaria blight caused by Alternaria burnsii. None of the varieties and germplasms tested was found completely free from the disease. However, twelve varieties and germplasms i.e. RZ-209, RZ-223, RZ-341, RZ-345, UC-282, UC-328, UC-321, UC-342, UC-335, UC-329, JC-2000-57 and JC-2010-02 were categorized as susceptible (S) and three, namely GC-4, MCU-73 and MCU-105 were founds highly susceptible (HS) and rest were moderately susceptible (MS). These findings highlight the need to incorporate the host resistance into integrated disease management practices, contributing cumin cultivations.