Abstract

Area under vegetable cultivation is increasing in Nepal; however, the farmers are unable to meet the demand
of vegetables particularly in urban areas. With the increasing market demand even seed production has become
increasingly challenging for farmers. Vegetable seed production is critical to agricultural sustainability and
food security. Nevertheless, seed crops are highly susceptible to several diseases that threaten seed quality and
yield. The area under vegetable seed crops, along with overall production and productivity, has been increasing
steadily. Based on received and identified samples at the National Plant Pathology Research Centre (NPPRC),
laboratory diagnostics have identified key pathogens affecting disease caused by fungus, bacteria, viruses and
nematode. The identified samples in vegetables consisting fungal diseases with 70% were root rot, alternaria
leaf spot, downy and powdery mildew, early and late blight, and anthracnose. Similarly, with 8% were bacterial
wilt, bacterial stem rot, bacterial canker, black rot, and pith necrosis. In viral diseases with 16% were cucumber
mosaic virus, tomato mosaic virus, tomato leaf curl virus, potyvirus zucchini yellow mosaic virus and 6%
by nematodes. So, early detection with an effective management practice is most necessary to ensure the
production of high-quality, disease-free vegetable seeds.
Keywords: Diagnosis, Disease, Horticultural crops, Identification, Vegetable seed