Diversity and interaction of common bacterial blight disease-causing bacteria(Xanthomonas spp.) with Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Common bacterial blight(CBB) is associated with common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris L.), an important grain legume for human consumption worldwide. The disease, caused by Xanthomonas spp. is spread mainly through seed. This paper focuses on the diversity of X.axonopodis pv. phaseoli and X. fuscans subsp. fuscans and interactions between related bacteria and the bean host. Review has suggested that the diversity and taxonomic studies of these pathogens are not exhaustive, especially in areas where detailed molecular analysis has not been conducted and previous characterizations were based on phenotypic features and PCR-based techniques. Also, no study has confirmed differential pathogenicity on bean genotypes based on compatible versus incompatible reactions. However, isolates react differently to wild and domesticated bean sources of resistance in common bean genetic backgrounds. A systematic approach will be required to investigate global changes in gene expression among different sources of resistance in a common bean background.The bacterial isolates that cause CBB should be functionally characterized using genotypes containing major quantitative trait loci(QTL) for CBB resistance. These studies will increase understanding of resistance and how it is manipulated by pathogens.

Evaluation of Cowpea Genotypes for Resistance to <i>Fusarium redolens</i>in Uganda

Fusarium redolens, a virulent fungus which causes damping off, leaf yellowing, wilting and root rots has recently been devastating cowpea fields in Uganda. This study aimed at identifying cowpea genotypes that are resistant to Fusarium redolens. Therefore, ninety cowpea genotypes were evaluated two times against a highly virulent Fusarium redolens (isolate from Zombo in Paidha district) in the screen house in 2016. Genotype effect was highly significant (P 0.001) for root rot severity. Based on the Index of Susceptibility (IS), three genotypes (Asontem, Dan1 LA and IT89KD-88) remained resistant (IS 3.5) over the two screening periods, 72 moderately resistant (3.5 ≤ IS 6.5) and 11 susceptible (IS ≥ 6.5). Resistance was found to be enhanced by presence of lateral roots above or at the ground level. Further results suggested a difference in genetic control of resistance to root rots and seed rots caused by Fusarium redolens. All the released varieties tested (SECOW 1 T, SECOW 2 W, SECOW 3 B, SECOW 4 W and SECOW 5 T) had moderate resistance to Fusarium redolens. Correlation analysis revealed root rot severity was strongly correlated to disease incidence (+0.64, P 0.001), to proportion of plants with lateral roots (-0.56, P 0.001), to amount of leaf chlorophyll (-0.53, P 0.001) and to proportion of plants that died prematurely due to Fusarium redolens infection (+0.45, P 0.001). No significant correlation was detected between root rot severity and proportion of plants that germinated. The established resistance could be exploited for improvement of farmer preferred cowpea varieties towards Fusarium redolens resistance in Uganda.