Identification of Resistance Sources Among Traditional Cotton Genotypes from Burkina Faso Against Xanthomonas Citri Pv. Malvacearum

Bacterial blight of Cotton caused by Xanthomonas citri. pv malvacearum, is a severe disease occurring in all cotton-growing areas. In several countries, control has been achieved through the use of resistant cotton genotypes associated with agricultural methods limiting disease spread. The main objective of the present study was to identify resistance sources against races 18 and 20 of Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum in artificial inoculation conditions within a collection of local cotton cultivars. Our results show that two conventional and commercialized varieties, FK64 and FK37, and traditional accessions belonging to the species hirsutism, barbadense and arborerum harbor resistance against X. citri pv. malvacearum race 18 from leaves, stem and boll inoculation. However, with race 18 strain, some cultivars conserve bacteria into stem and leave that remain asymptomatic 35 days after inoculation. No source of resistance was detected against race 20 of X. citri pv. malvacearum. For better management of cotton blight, the knowledge of the phenotypic diversity of pathogen strains, their spatial and temporal distribution is a prerequisite to guide the use of resistance gene in breeding program and their deployment in cotton growing areas in Burkina Faso.