Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) are major constraints to pulse crop production, causing significant yield losses and affecting crop productivity. The present study was conducted to evaluate the reaction of different pulse genotypes against natural infestation of M. incognita under screen house conditions. The experiment was carried out during 2021–22 using 30 genotypes of moong bean, 18 genotypes of pigeon pea, and 33 genotypes of chickpea. After 45 days of nematode inoculation, roots of all genotypes were examined to assess gall indices using a 1-5 scale. The results revealed that two genotypes of moong bean (MH 1762 and MH 2-15 (C)), eight genotypes of pigeon pea (AH 16-02, AH 18-48, AH 19-03, AH 19-17, AH 19-22, AH 16-37, AH 17-28, and PAU 881), and six genotypes of chickpea (H 10-22, H 12-22, H 13-36, H 16-22, H 12-55, and H 19-40) were identified as moderately resistant to M. incognita. The remaining genotypes exhibited susceptible to highly susceptible reactions. The identified moderately resistant genotypes may serve as potential sources for breeding programs aimed at developing nematode-resistant varieties in pulse crops.