Evaluation of cabbage varieties for resistance to clubroot pathogens, Plasmodiophora brassicae woronin in Dhankuta, Nepal

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the varietal resistance of cabbage against club root disease, Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin, in a naturally infested field in Sindhuwa, Dhankuta. It was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) of three replications and seven treatments, viz., T1: Green Coronet, T2: Nepa Green 777, T3: Big Sun 171, T4: Yr Honam, T5: Big Sun 111, T6: Super Green, and T7: Nepa Star. The plant height was comparatively greater in Green Coronet and Super Green in 60 DAT. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the number of leaves. Big Sun 111 and Yr Honam did not show any signs of galling or clubroot, indicating a significantly higher resistance. Despite not being afflicted by clubroot, Nepa star produced less than satisfying results due to black rot and early head decay. The maximum average head weight and marketable cabbage yield were recorded as being highest in Big Sun 111 (2.56 kg) and Yr Honam (2.24 kg). Furthermore, the yield from Big Sun 171 (1.93 kg) and Nepa Green 777 (1.84 kg) was satisfactory, despite the higher PDI (percentage disease index) (40.33%) and (61.04%), respectively. Disease incidence was zero in Big Sun 111, Yr Honam, and Nepa Star. In terms of productivity and disease resistance, Big Sun 111 (160.13 Mt/ha) and Yr Honam (140.51 Mt/ha) provide the best results, which may be beneficial to farmers who face costly and lengthy disease control practices.