Screening of resistant germplasm against powdery mildew of pea and its management through nutrients and plant activators

In Pakistan, powdery mildew of pea is an emerging pathogen to notable production of pea. The research was conducted to evaluate the currently available resistant source against the powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) and its management through nutrients (micronutrients and macronutrients) and plant activators (citric acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, K2HPO4, KH2PO4). Thirteen varieties/lines were grown under a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The data of disease incidence were examined at weekly intervals to evaluate the resistant source against this disease. Varieties/lines including No. 267, F-16, and Peas-2009 exhibited a resistant response to E. pisi with a disease incidence of 3.3, 6.6, and 1.6% respectively. The winner showed moderately resistant response with disease incidence 23.46%. Green grass (45.05%), VIP (37.7%), Peas meto (29.50%), Aleena (30.63%) and Azad (36.00%) were moderately susceptible. The Varieties PF-450 (65.00%), and Sprinter (61.70%) showed susceptible response. The Varieties Climax (74.00%) and Meteor (73.53%) were highly susceptible to powdery mildew. The macronutrients proved to be the highly effective with lowest disease incidence as 8.14%. Salicylic acid was the most effective plant activator followed by K2HPO4 that exhibited the minimum diseases incidence 16.38% and 22.62% respectively. Our findings concluded that the variety Peas-2009 was highly resistant against the powdery mildew. Macronutrients and salicylic acid (SA) were highly potent nutrient and plant activator in minimizing the development of this radical fungal pathogen.