DefinePK

Abstract

Abstract | Powdery mildew is a significant fungal disease affecting bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) production. This study evaluated the resistance of four bottle gourd cultivars (Anokhi, Super B2, C-01, and ISC 441) to powdery mildew under field conditions at the Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab, Peshawar, Pakistan in 2019. A randomized complete block design with three replications was employed. Disease severity was assessed using a 0-5 scale. Significant differences in disease severity were observed among the cultivars. ISC 441 exhibited the highest level of resistance (8.33% severity), while Super B2 was the most susceptible (50% severity). Anokhi and C-01 showed moderate susceptibility and resistance, respectively. These findings highlight the genetic variability for powdery mildew resistance within bottle gourd germplasm. The identification of resistant cultivars like ISC 441 provides valuable resources for breeding programs and disease management strategies. Further research is recommended to elucidate the mechanisms of resistance in ISC 441 and evaluate its performance in diverse environments.