Multi-environment field testing to identify broad, stable resistance to sterility mosaic disease of pigeonpea

Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) caused by Pigeonpea sterility mosaic virus and vectored by the eriophyid mite is a serious disease of pigeonpea in almost all pigeonpea-growing areas. Managing the disease with chemicals such as acaricides is very difficult, non-eco-friendly and costly; hence, host plant resistance is the best strategy implemented to manage this disease. In this context, 28 pigeonpea genotypes identified as resistant from preliminary screening of 976 pigeonpea accessions were evaluated in field at eight different agro-ecological locations in India for the stability of their resistance against SMD during 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. Genotype plus genotype × environment (GGE) analysis partitioned main effects into genotype, environments and G × E interactions and showed significant effects (P < 0.001) for SMD percentage incidence. Environment variance had the greatest effect (76.68 %), indicating the maximum variation in the disease due to the environment. At Bangalore, Dholi and Rahuri locations, all genotypes were susceptible to SMD with mean disease incidence of 71.1, 50.4 and 32.6 % respectively. However, most of the genotypes were resistant at four locations, Akola, Badnapur, Patancheru, and Vamban, and moderately resistant at Coimbatore. The GGE biplot analysis explained about 67.26 % of total variation and identified four genotypes (ICPLs 20094, 20106, 20098, 20115) as the most stable and resistant to SMD. Three genotypes (ICPLs 20096, 20107, 20110) showed moderately stable performance against SMD. These genotypes should be included in pigeonpea breeding programs as additional sources of resistance to SMD