Leaf anatomical characteristics of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in relation to resistance to early blight

Four chilli genotypes - two resistant (Punjab Lal, H-2-8) and two susceptible (PBC-370, MKS) showing variable degree of resistance/susceptibility to Alternaria solani infection which cause early blight disease were evaluated for their leaf anatomical characteristics. Thickness of lamina and palisade characteristics viz. thickness of palisade tissue, palisade index, palisade proportion, number of palisade cells/mm, length and width of palisade cells were significantly higher in the resistant genotypes as compared to that of the susceptible genotypes. These characteristics having significant correlation with disease reaction may, therefore, be useful for screening of large populations of new chilli genotypes for their resistance/susceptibility to early blight disease.