Screening of African eggplant genotypes (Solanum aethiopicum L. and Solanum macrocarpon L.) for Fusarium wilt resistance in Burkina Faso

---

Résumé

Fusarium wilt is a major threat to African eggplant production in Burkina Faso. In the quest for effective and sustainable control measures against the pathogen, this study aimed at
evaluating the tolerance of selected African eggplant genotypes to the disease. The experimental design used was a split-plot arrangement with eight replications. A total of 18
genotypes, nine S. aethiopicum and nine S. macrocarpon were inoculated with a suspension of Fusarium falciforme and Fusarium flagelliforme strains isolated from rotting fruits. The evaluation focused on plant emergence, the incidence of leaf yellowing and necrosis, plant wilting, plant desiccation, fruit rot, and overall disease severity. The results revealed high disease incidence and severity exceeding 50% in some genotypes indicating varying levels of susceptibility. Cluster analysis based on disease index data classified the genotypes into susceptible and tolerant groups. Among S. aethiopicum, the susceptible group included genotypes 4AL4, 13AL5, 16AL2, and SAMA3, while the tolerant group consisted of 12AL4, 5AL3, SABA1, SABA10, and 31AL4. For S. macrocarpon, genotypes BD4 and BP7 were identified as susceptible, whereas LS13, TG1, RT7, BB1, SMKY, AM3012, and L513 demonstrated tolerance. This study successfully identified promising genotypes under controlled conditions, and the findings provide a strong scientific basis for subsequent field adaptability trials across various agro-climatic zones in Burkina Faso. Such trials will support the selection of elite genotypes that can be recommended to farmers as a sustainable strategy for managing Fusarium wilt.

Mots-clés

Screening, African eggplants, Fusarium wilt, Burkina Faso