Occurrence and Distribution of Lentil Wilt in Major Lentil Growing Regions of Madhya Pradesh, India

In the present investigation, roving survey was conducted during the October to February of 2020–2021 and 2021–22 to acquire information on the natural disease incidence and distribution of lentil wilt in the farmers’ fields in eight different districts of Madhya Pradesh. A pooled mean of disease incidence ranging from 6.62%–20.36% was observed during 2020–22. The district wise scenario of lentil wilt over a period of two consecutive years revealed that maximum average incidence of 18.96% was recorded in Sagar district followed by 17.67% in Khandwa district. However, minimum average wilt incidence of 12.17% was recorded in Mandla district followed by 12.55% in Jabalpur district. Looking to the occurrence of lentil wilt, Sagar, Khandwa, Damoh, Katni and Dindori were identified as hotspot pockets for occurrence of lentil wilt in surveyed districts of Madhya Pradesh. Further, reduction of 26.28% in wilt occurrence was recorded in the farmers’ practice advocated as seed treatment before sowing. Under the seven cropping patterns observed, the minimum wilt incidence of 13.96% was recorded in rice followed by lentil which is the most predominant cropping pattern across the surveyed locations. Further different varieties were screened for occurrence of lentil wilt at Sagar. Among the 14 varieties, maximum incidence of lentil wilt was recorded in PL 5 followed by Shekhar masoor 3. However, two varieties namely JL 1 and L 4076 were found free from wilt incidence in selected hot spot pocket for lentil wilt.