~ 627 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2021; 9(2): 627-630 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 www.entomoljournal.com JEZS 2021; 9(2): 627-630 © 2021 JEZS Received: 19-01-2021 Accepted: 22-02-2021 Sonali Katoch Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India Amar Singh Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India Corresponding Author: Sonali Katoch Department of Plant Pathology, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India Screening of capsicum germplasm for resistance against Phytophthora capsici causing leaf blight and root rot Sonali Katoch and Amar Singh DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/j.ento.2021.v9.i2i.8634 Abstract Eighty six lines of capsicum were screened for resistance against leaf blight and root rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici during 2018 by adopting detached leaf and seedling inoculation method, respectively. Out of 86 lines, six lines namely KTC-148, KTC-149, KTPL-19, Chilli Local, Pant Chilli and PBC-631 were found resistant by evaluating 14 days old pepper seedlings grown in poly trays containing peat mixture.Whereasthree lines viz., KTC-144, KTC-148 and PBC-631 were found resistant, when evaluated with detached leaf inoculation method while Chilli Local, KTPL-19 and Chilli Pant were found to be moderately resistant. Keywords: resistance, Phytophthora capsici, capsicum Introduction Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is an economically important crop grown in different areas of Himachal Pradesh and used as a fresh vegetable and as a processed food product. Phytophthora capsica (Leon.) poses a serious threat to pepper production across the globe (Bosland and Lindsey 1991) [1] . It can infect pepper plants at any growth stage, resulting in damping off, root rot, stem rot, collar rot, fruit rot, and foliar blight. Under warm (25–28 °C) and humid environmental conditions (Foster and Hausbeck 2010) [4] . P. capsici root rot (PcRR) is causing up to 100% yield losses. The pathogen attack the plant roots or stem region and causing water-soaked lesion and stem girdling which lead to wilting and death of the plant. The broad host range, as well as its soil-borne and random mating nature, makes it very difficult to control. Use of cultural practices and chemical control measures for PcRR have proven to be ineffective and unsafe (Lamour and Hausbeck 2000) [6] . So, the use of host resistance to PcRR represents the best control measure method. Therefore, the identification of resistant sources will useful in developing resistant varieties. Material and Methods Pathogen inoculum production Collection of fungal isolates Different capsicum growing areas of Himachal Pradesh in Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra and Solan districts were visited during cropping season 2016-17 for the collection of Phytophthora root rot, leaf blight and fruit rot samples of capsicum/chilli infected by Phytophthora capsici. The plants showing the symptoms of Phytophthora root rot, leaf blight and fruit rot were collected, placed in paper bags and brought to laboratory for isolation purpose. Isolation from infected samples collected from different locations was taken in order to ascertain the associated pathogens with the disease. Pathogen was purified through hyphal tip method. Isolation, purification, maintenance and multiplication of the pathogen The fungal cultureswere isolated from diseased tissues using standard methodology on PDA. The diseased samples were surface sterilized by dipping in mercuric chloride (0.1%) solution for 10-15 sec followed by 3-4 times subsequent washing in sterilized distilled water and finally putting the bits on sterilized filter papers to remove the excess moisture.