IDENTIFICATION OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA L. WALP.) GENOTYPES RESISTANT AGAINST ASCOCHYTA BLIGHT IN WESTERN HIMALAYASami Jan, M. Ashraf Bhat, M. Altaf Wani, Farooq Ahmad Bhat Fehim J. Wani, Raihana H. Kanth, A. B. Shikari and Haleema BanoAbstract Ascochyta blight holds a crucial significance in the context of cowpea cultivation, and its prevalence is a threat to this important food source and means of livelihood. During the three Kharif seasons from 2020- 2022, ten (10) cowpea genotypes along with two susceptible check genotypes have been screened against Ascochyta blight under field conditions for the identification of promising genotypes. Screening has resulted in the identification of some promising cowpea genotypes. By combining the results from multiple years, consistent patterns, trends, and variations in disease score were identified for each genotype. Out of ten. (10) genotypes, IITA-345 was resistant and, nine (09) genotypes, namely IITA-346, IITA-347, IITA-348, IITA-349, IITA-350, IITA-351, IITA-352, IITA-353, and IITA-354, were moderately resistant against the disease. Screening of cowpea genotypes leads to the identification of new sources of resistance against the disease that can serve as a potential donor in future cowpea improvement programs. |