Development of improved lines of Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f. resistant to mosaic disease

Abstract

Through repeated selections of Telfairia occidentalis fruits obtained from several areas in southern Nigeria, the following selections were found to produce high leaf yield: TOC-1, 6, 51, 62, 76, and 90. Female plants were more vigorous in terms of leaf production than male plants. Out of a total of 116 plants, 47 were immune to Telfairia mosaic virus. The immune plants also had higher yields than plants in other categories of disease rating. The virus was latent in 16 plants and the effect was insidious as these had very low leaf yield. The major constraints in the development of high-yielding, mosaic-resistant plants are highlighted.