EARLY BLIGHT RESISTANCE IN LYCOPERSICON-ESCULENTUM MILL TRANSFERRED FROM L-PIMPINELLIFOLIUM (L) MILL AND L-HIRSUTUM F GLABRATUM MULL

Four lines P-1, H-7, H-22, and H-25 resistant to early blight (Alterna ria solani) have been bred by utilizing Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium and L. hirsutum f. glabratum, respectively. The appearance of first sy mptoms in P-1 (66 and 79 days), H-7 (69 and 77 days), H-22 (74 and 81 days), and H-25 (72 and 79 days) was delayed in comparison to the recu rrent parents HS-101 (52 and 61 days) and Sel.-7 (57 and 66 days). The disease intensity in P-1 (24.5 % and 19.8 %), H-7 (24.3 % and 23.4 %) , H-22 (25.2 % and 22.3 %), and H-25 (23.4 % and 23.7 %) was less than cultivated variety Sel.-7 (76.3 % and 70.8 %) and the area under dise ase progress curve in P-1, H-7, H-22, and H-25 was also less than cult ivated variety Sel.-7. However, days to appearance of first disease sy mptom inP-1, H-7, H-22, and H-25 were less and disease intensity and A UDPC were more than their respective donor parents which may be due to dilution of resistance. The days of maturity in the developed resista nt H-7, H-22, and H-25 were on par with the susceptible variety Sel.-7 . The fruit weight of H-7 (54 g), H-22 (59 g), and H-25 (61 g) were on par with the fruit weight of recurrent parent Sel.-7 (67 g). The yiel d per plant of H-7 (627 g), H-22 (613 g), and H-25 (586 g) was more th an the yield of susceptible variety Sel.-7 (283 g). Thus, these lines have the scope to be used as commercial resistant variety in early bli ght infested areas.