Reaction of Sesame Germplasm to Charcoal Rot in Field Condition

Charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is the most destructive disease of sesame (Sesamum indicum) in Iran and other countries as well. The fungus has been more important in recent years because of climate change and global warming. In this research, 81 genotypes of sesame were sown in a hot spot farm at Behbahan Agricultural Research station in south of Khuzestan province as a simple lattice design during three successive years. Damping off was observed at all growth stages. None of the genotypes were immune of the disease. M. phaseolina was the dominant pathogen of sesame in soil of the disease plot. Damping-off was observed during all growth stages. None of the genotypes were immune to the disease. The corrected data were subjected to simple and compound analyses. The results indicated that Tarom landrace and Darab2 line had the highest level of resistance. 22 genotypes were determined as moderately resistant genotypes among which Potak-e- musian landrace had the lowest 3-years average of infection percent. The rest were recongnized as moderately susceptible, susceptible and highly susceptible genotypes.