Screening of Mentha arvensis cultivars for resistance source against Charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina

Menthol Mint (Mentha arvensis) cultivation is estimated to touch 3,00,000 hectares with an annual production of 30,000 tons of essential oils and export about 75% of the output. In recent years the M. arvensis crop at different locations in northern Indian plains was found severely infected with Macrophomina phaseolina. The M. arvensis cultivars such as Kranti, Shivalik, Himalaya, Gomti, Saksham, Saryu, Kosi, and Kalka developed by CSIR-CIMAP were screened for the resistance source against charcoal rot disease caused by M. phaseolina under glasshouse and field conditions. Our results indicated that M. arvensis cultivars Kranti, Gomati, Saryu were resistant, while Shivalik, Himalaya, Saksham and Kalka were moderately resistant, and Kosi was moderately susceptible. The seven cultivars from eight, showed less significant damage by the M. phaseolina, while Kosi cultivars showed high damages. Host fitness made on the basis of infection fact that one cultivar was non-host; one was the poor host while four cultivars were the good host of M. phaseolina. The studies support that Kranti, Gomati, and Saryu cultivars could be suggestible for sustainable cultivation under IGP region to reduce the M. phaseolina associated diseases and prevent yield losses.