Evaluation of Resistance to Bacterial Wilt and Phytophthora Blight in Capsicum Genetic Resources Collected in Myanmar

Abstract

We evaluated 41 Capsicum accessions collected in Myanmar for resistance to bacterial wilt and Phytophthora blight. Eighteen accessions were highly resistant to bacterial wilt. They consisted of 11 C. annuum, 6 C. frutescens, and 1 C. chinense, and had a wide range of fruit sizes and shapes. Seventeen were moderately resistant. On the other hand, only 1 accession was highly resistant to Phytophthora blight, and all other accessions were susceptible. These results indicate the existence of a range of materials in Myanmar that are highly resistant to bacterial wilt, but few accessions that are resistant to Phytophthora blight. The accession that was highly resistant to Phytophthora blight was also classified as moderately resistant to bacterial wilt, and will therefore be a useful genetic resource in breeding to produce combined resistance to both diseases.