Screening Ethiopian Hot Pepper Accessions for Resistance to Fusarium Wilt ( <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> ) Under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. capsici (FOC) is a significant pepper disease with huge economic implications resulting in substantial yield losses, potentially up to 80%, at various growth stages of the crop. Using resistant varieties/accessions is the best management option for Fusarium wilt. This study aimed to screen 52 Ethiopian hot pepper accessions against FOC under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomised design (CRD) with three replications. The findings revealed that the reaction of accessions to FOC varied significantly ( p ≤ 0.05). Out of the evaluated 52 hot pepper accessions, based on disease incidence (DI), two accessions (225733 and 25828) showed resistant reactions with an incidence of 8.3% and 9.4% respectively. Based on the Disease Severity Index (DSI), six accessions (225733, 25828, 9806, 20869, 19974 and 20856) exhibited resistance reactions with &lt; 10% DSI. The lowest Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) value was recorded from accession 225733 (AUDPC = 7.1%), and it is considered resistant. At each assessment stage, accessions showed variable responses to the disease; some had resistant reactions, and others were susceptible. As the plant ages, disease severity increases and it becomes wilted or dead. In all disease assessment methods, such as disease incidence, severity and AUDPC values, two accessions (225733 and 25828) were found resistant. These genetic materials can be used for future breeding to generate resistant and productive pepper varieties. However, further research and field validation are recommended to confirm their performance under natural conditions.