Diverse sources of resistance to different biotic stresses in elite groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes

Groundnut, an important oilseed crop which is affected by many biotic and abiotic stresses. Among the biotic stresses, late leafspot (LLS), rust and Spodoptera litura, are important in terms of their effect on reduction in yield. In the present study, forty-four elite genotypes of groundnut were assessed for their reaction to Spodoptera litura, late leafspot and rust at a hot spot location. Three genotypes viz., DSG 1 (Virginia runner), Dh 216 (Spanish bunch) and ICGV 93468 (Virginia bunch) were resistant to Spodoptera litura having less than 10% leaf damage whereas, six genotypes viz., MG 8 dwarf, ICGV 05155, ICGV 87165, ICGV 87846, ICGV 06146 and JG (thin shell) were resistant to late leaf spot with <4 field disease score and nine genotypes were promising to rust by scoring <4 field disease score. There was a negative correlation between resistance to different stresses and maturity or productivity parameters. These genotypes belong to different botanical varieties of groundnut and hence can be effectively used for incorporation ofresistance into varieties ofspecific botanical group. Among all the elite genotypes, ICGV 06146 had significantly higher pod yield/plant (23.2g) in addition to exhibiting resistance to late leaf spot and rust.