SCREENING AND STABILITY ANALYSIS OF GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS-HYPOGAEA) FOR RESISTANCE TO EARLY LEAF-SPOT (CERCOSPORA-ARACHIDICOLA)

An experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 1991-93 to eval uate 25 genotypes of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) for their resista nce and stability to disease reaction of early leaf-spot (Cercospora a rachidicola Hori.) at Barapani. Disease severity was moderate in 1991 and 1992, whereas it was high in 1993 causing heavy defoliation in the susceptible control ('JL 24'). All the genotypes showed less early le af-spot score compared with the control indicating satisfactory level of resistance. Significant genotype x environment (G x E) interaction was observed for disease reaction. Both linear and non-linear componen ts of G x E interaction were significant. Genotypes 'ICGV 86020', 'ICG V 86680: and 'ICGV 87350' were found stable and promising for low-dise ase reaction in different years.