Genetic variation in Zantedeschia spp. (Araceae) for resistance to soft rot caused by Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora

Bacterial soft rot caused by Erwiniacarotovora subsp. carotovora is amajor disease in Zantedeschia spp.,particularly in cultivars from the sectionAestivae. The disease can partiallybe controlled by cultivation measures, so acombination with resistant cultivars couldeffectively protect the crop. However,resistant commercial Aestivaecultivars are not available yet. By meansof a recently developed non-destructiveresistance test, variation inaggressiveness was observed among fiveisolates of Erwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora without interactionsbetween the isolates and three Zantedeschia accessions. Within elevenaccessions of Z. aethiopica,variation was observed from almost completeto moderate resistance, while theZ. odorata accession was susceptible.All 21 Aestivae cultivars weresusceptible. Within the Aestivaespecies, Z. elliotiana and Z.pentlandii were also susceptible, butwithin twelve accessions of Z.albomaculata, as well as in six accessionsof Z. rehmannii, variation was foundfrom susceptible to moderately resistant.Hence, new sources of resistance wereidentified that show good potentials forresistance breeding.     

Effect of leaf age on components of partial resistance in rice to leaf blast

Summary Ten rice genotypes were inoculated with a virulent isolate of Magnaporthe grisea to study the effect of leaf age on components of partial resistance, and evaluate associations between these components. The number of sporulating lesions per cm² leaf declined with increase of leaf age in all genotypes. The number of lesions per cm² leaf area in one week old leaves was about 25% that of the number in very young leaves in the susceptible cultivar CO39, but less than 2% in the more resistant cultivars IR36, IR60 and IR62. Large differences between genotypes were found for the number of sporulating lesions that developed, and this factor was closely related to the period that leaves remained susceptible after appearance. The number of lesions in the most susceptible cultivar CO39 was about 7 times that in the cultivars IR60 and IR64. Differences between genotypes were also found for lesion size. The effect of aging on average lesion size was less pronounced than on lesion density. Lesion size and lesion density were positively correlated, but a rapid decline of density was not necessarily accompanied by a rapid decline of size. No apparent differences between genotypes were observed for latent period. Genotypes with leaves that became highly resistant soon after appearance expressed higher levels of partial resistance in the field.     

Contribution of host-pathogen interactions to the expression of the blackleg disease of spring rape (Brassica napus L.) caused by Leptosphaeria maculans (Desm.) Ces. et de not

Variation in the responses of selected genotypes of spring rape to infection by a wide range of isolates of Leptosphaeria maculans was analyzed in this study.Differences in severity of disease damage to seedlings between host and pathogen genotypes were highly significant. Interactions between host and pathogen were also highly significant. The generally resistant cultivar Wesreo was susceptible to a number of isolates whereas the normally susceptible cultivars Zollern-gold and Ceska were resistant to some isolates. Overall, however, Wesreo was resistant to a far greater number of isolates than were the susceptible genotypes.Significant differences in severity of disease damage were also observed between groups of isolates from different sites. All host genotypes were resistant to a substantially greater proportion of isolates from certain sites than from others. Interactions were again detected in that the ranking of sites on the basis of the proportion of isolates causing severe damage varied between host genotypes.The significance of host-pathogen interactions in the B. napus-L. maculans relationship is discussed with special reference to current views on the nature of horizontal resistance.     

Inheritance of resistance to the chlorosis component of tan spot of wheat caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, races 1 and 3

The fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, causal agent of tan spot of wheat, produces two phenotypically distinct symptoms, tan necrosis and extensive chlorosis. The inheritance of resistance to chlorosis induced by P. tritici-repentis races 1 and 3 was studied in crosses between common wheat resistant genotypes Erik, Hadden, Red Chief, Glenlea, and 86ISMN 2137 and susceptible genotype 6B-365. Plants were inoculated under controlled environmental conditions at the two-leaf stage and disease rating was based on presence or absence of chlorosis. In all the resistant × susceptible crosses, F₁ plants were resistant and the segregation of the F₂ generation and F₃ families indicated that a single dominant gene controlled resistance. Lack of segregation in a partial diallel series of crosses among the resistant genotypes tested with race 3␣indicated that the resistant genotypes possessed␣the same resistance gene. This resistance gene was effective against chlorosis induced by P.␣tritici-repentis races 1 and 3.     

Chromosomal location of resistance to Septoria tritici in seedlings of a synthetic hexaploid wheat, Triticum spelta and two cultivars of Triticum aestivum

Chromosomal location of resistance to two virulent Argentinean isolatesof Septoria tritici was studied in two wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) cultivars (Cappelle-Desprez & Cheyenne), a synthetic hexaploid(Synthetic 6x) and Triticum spelta in seedlings. Substitution lines of these(resistant or moderately resistant) genotypes into (susceptible) ChineseSpring were selected from a previous screening. For Synthetic 6x,resistance was clearly located in chromosome 7D. Chinese Spring with the7D chromosome substituted by Synthetic 6x showed almost completeresistance, similar to the level of Synthetic 6x. For the substitutions withCappelle-Desprez, Cheyenne, and T.spelta there were no lines with abehaviour similar to the resistant parent. However, some substitutions weremore resistant than the susceptible parent suggesting that severalchromosomes could be involved in the resistance of these genotypes toSeptoria leaf blotch.     

Evaluation of the virulence of races 1, 2 and 4 of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi in carnation

Summary A simultaneous analysis of the virulence of races 1, 2 and 4 of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi to a series of nine carnation cultivars revealed the presence of different interactions between races and cultivars, as well as differences in pathogenesis between race 1 on the one hand and race 2 and 4 on the other.The most common race 2 induced typical symptoms of Fusarium wilt in all susceptible cultivars. The cultivars showed considerable variation in resistance to race 2. Only Novada remained free of external symptoms throughout the experiment. In diseased plants of all cultivars studied, infected vascular tissue was white with dark brown margins, and heavy degradation of the cell walls and xylem parenchyma cells had occurred. All Dutch isolates corresponded with race 2.Race 4 induced wilt symptoms similar to those induced by race 2, and there was a similar variation in resistance to race 2 and 4 in the cultivars. On average, the race 4 isolates were less aggressive than those of race 2. Compared with race 2, there was evidence of some genotype × race interactions: Pallas proved to be considerably more susceptible, and Lena more resistant to race 4 than to race 2. The isolates of race 4 induced a nistopathology similar to that induced by race 2, but with less vascular browning.Race 1 induced atypical but severe wilt symptoms and unusual vascular discoloration in Elsy, Niky and Sam's Pride only. The vascular tissue in these cultivars turned pale brown; in spite of heavy colonization of these tissues virtually no degradation of cell walls was observed. All other cultivars tested proved virtually resistant to race 1, providing further evidence for genotype × race interactions.Within races, limited but statistically significant genotype × isolate interactions were found as well, in particular within race 4. These are tentatively attributed to independent variation of two (or more) resistance components.     

Evaluation of screening techniques and determination of criteria for assessing resistance to Corynebacterium michiganense in tomato

Summary When screening populations segregating for resistance to Corynebacterium michiganense a rapid and reliable inoculation technique is needed. From the several techniques tested, inoculation of the petiole was found to give better differentiation of resistant and susceptible plants than did inoculation of the root or leaf. When petiole-inoculation was compared with stem-inoculation the latter showed the lowest environmental variation and is suggested for use in genetic studies. Stem-inoculation involved clipping the stems of 4 week old seedlings 1 cm above the cotyledonary leaves with scissors which had been dipped in inoculum.Petiole inoculation and, to a lesser degree, stem inoculation failed to produce uniform infection, resulting in variation in the expression of the disease. The scoring was therefore based on the presence, and not the degree, of wilting and stunting, or the size of the cankers. Plants free of all these symptoms were rated resistant. The coefficient of variation for vascular discoloration on individual plants was calculated to be 50%, which in part may be explained by the histopathology of the host.The virulent isolates cm 21 caused death of seedlings resistant to isolate H. However, cultivars resistant to isolate H in the seedling stage did not decrease in fruit weight as compared to susceptible cultivars when inoculated with isolate cm 21 at anthesis.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal No. 7424.     

Evaluation of globe artichoke and related germplasm for resistance to artichoke latent virus

Summary A total of 280 globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) clones were assessed for reaction to naturally occurring artichoke latent virus (ALV) in field trials. Also, the reaction of 17 seed progenies of crosses which produced ALV-resistant clones in the field, 20 self progenies of parental genotypes common to these crosses, self progenies of 17 artichoke cultivars, and 7 accessions ofC. cardunculus andC. syriaca were evaluated in the glasshouse following mechanical inoculation with ALV. The local and systemic presence of ALV, and the relative virus content in infected plants were determined by ELISA.All cultivars and most of the otherC. scolymus material tested (clones and seed progenies) proved to be highly susceptible to ALV. Ten progenies were less susceptible to mechanical inoculation as shown by the moment the virus could be detected, and a slow rate of accumulation of viral antigen. Some plants in two seed progenies possessed apparently a high resistance as could be concluded from the failure of ALV to spread or to multiply in plant.Accessions ofC. cardunculus andC. syriaca were also highly susceptible to ALV. However, an interspecific hybridC. cardunculus x C. syriaca presented the highest level of resistance, the plants remained free of local and systemic infection. Ratios of resistant to susceptible plants in self progenies of resistant plants suggested that this resistance was dominant.     

Field screening of simulated segregating barley populations for resistance to scald

Summary Simulated segregating barley populations were screened for resistance to scald (Rhynchosporium secalis) in the field at commercial seeding rates. A reduction in infection on the susceptible component occurred with increasing proportions of resistant genotypes. Similar trends were seen in space planted experiments but the use of susceptible buffer rows counteracted the effect, enhanced the infection in susceptible plants and greatly improved discrimination between resistant and susceptible. These results have been applied to the routine testing of F₂ populations in the barley breeding programme.     

Crown depth and susceptibility to crown rot in wheat

Sources of partial resistance to crown rot caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum are detected in mature plants grown in artificially inoculated soil in the field. The resistance in most but not all of these sources can also be detected in seedlings. In order to determine whether partial resistance is related to depth of crown formation, this character was measured in 13 cultivars/lines with a range of reaction to crown rot. It was also measured in doubled haploid plants from the cross, Batavia/2–49. Crown depths varied from 17.1 mm to -2.3 mm (above ground) in pots in a waterbath at 25 ^°C and from 43.5 mm to 20.7 mm when plants were grown in the field. The correlation coefficient between relative susceptibility to crown rot (Field test) and crown depth of 13 cultivars/lines was 0.57 (p ≤ 0.05). With the exception of the cultivars, Sunco and Pelsart, partial resistance to crown rot was inversely related to depth of crown formation. This indicates that depth of crown formation may be partly responsible for the reaction of a cultivar/line to crown rot. Depth of crown formation was also measured in susceptible and partially resistant cultivars/lines grown from seed planted at different depths. As depth of seeding increased, depth of crown formation in partially resistant and susceptible cultivars/lines increased in similar proportions. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inheritance of resistance to angular leaf spot in Nicotiana tabacum L. cultivars burley 21 and kentucky 14

Summary The genetics of resistance to angular leaf spot caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci in Nicotiana tabacum cultivars Burley 21 and Kentucky 14 was investigated by studying disease reactions to three isolates of parental, F₁, F₂ and backcross generations derived from crosses between the resistant cultivars and the susceptible cultivar Judy's Pride. Studies were conducted in the greenhouse and in field plant beds. Chi-square values were computed to determine whether the observed ratios for disease reactions deviated from expected Mendelian ratios for a single, dominant gene controlling resistance to angular leaf spot in tobacco. Based on the resistance of the F₁ and the backcross generation to the resistant parent (BC-R), a 3 resistant: 1 susceptible segregation ratio in the F₂, and a 1 resistant: 1 susceptible segregation ratio in the backcross generation to the susceptible parent (BC-S), it was concluded that resistance to three isolates of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci is governed by a single, dominant gene.     

Inheritance of resistance to angular leaf spot in common bean and validation of the utility of resistance linked markers for marker assisted selection out side the mapping population

Inheritance of resistance to angular leaf spot (ALS) disease caused by Phaeoisariopsis griseola (Sacc.) Ferr was investigated in two common bean cultivars, Mexico 54 and BAT 332. Both Andean and Mesoamerican backgrounds were used to determine the stability of the resistance gene in each of the two cultivars. Resistance to P. griseola was phenotypically evaluated by artificial inoculation with one of the most widely distributed pathotypes, 63–39. Evaluation of the parental genotypes, F₁, F₂ and backcross populations revealed that the resistance to angular leaf spot in the cultivars Mexico 54 and BAT 332 to pathotype 63–39 is controlled by a single dominant gene, when both the Andean and Mesoamerican backgrounds were used. Allelism test showed that ALS resistance in Mexico 54 and BAT 332 to pathotype 63–39 was conditioned by the same resistance locus. Resistant and susceptible segregating populations generated using Mexico 54 resistant parent were selected for DNA extraction and amplification to check for the presence /absence of the SCAR OPN02 and RAPD OPE04 markers linked to the Phg-2 resistance gene. The results indicated that the SCAR OPN02 was not polymorphic in the study populations and therefore of limited application in selecting resistant genotypes in such populations. On the other hand, the RAPD OPE04 marker was observed in all resistant individuals and was absent in those scored susceptible based on virulence data. Use of the RAPD OPE04 marker in marker-assisted selection is underway.     

A single dominant gene for downy mildew resistance in broccoli

Downy mildew, incited by Peronospora parasitica (Pers.: Fr.) Fr., is a destructive disease of broccoli (Brassica oleraceaL., Italica Group). Resistant cultivars represent a desirable control method to provide a practical, environmentally benign, and long-term means of limiting damage from this disease. Doubled-haploid (DH) lines developed by us exhibit a high level of downy mildew resistance at the cotyledon stage. To determine the mode of inheritance for this resistance, a resistant DH line was crossed to a susceptible DH line to make an F₁, from which F₂ and backcross (BC) populations were developed. All populations were evaluated for response to artificial inoculation with P. parasitica at the cotyledon stage. All F₁ plants (including reciprocals) were as resistant as the resistant parent, indicating no maternal effect for this trait. F₂ populations segregated approximately 3resistant to 1 susceptible, BC populations using the resistant parent as the recurrent parent contained all resistant plants, and the BC to the susceptible parent segregated 1 resistant to 1 susceptible. These results indicate that resistance is controlled by a single dominant gene. This gene should be easily incorporated into F₁ hybrids and used commercially to prevent downy mildew at the cotyledon stage. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diversity among Finnish net blotch isolates and resistance in barley

Summary Seedlings of a differential barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) series (21 genotypes) and of six check genotypes were used in the greenhouse to assess variation in virulence among 20 single-spore isolates of the net blotch pathogen. Pyrenophora teres Drechs. f.teres Smedeg., collected from various sites in Finland. The experiment was run twice and symptom expression was recorded on the first three leaves. Analysis of second leaf symptom scores from Run 1 indicated differences in virulence between isolates, all of which were pathogenic, and differential resistance among the barleys. The virulence of P. teres isolates appeared to be conditioned by the host barley from which the isolate derived; the average virulence of isolates collected from a susceptible host was greater than that of isolates collected from a less susceptible host. Results from Run 2 were similar regarding resistance within the barleys, but variation in virulence among the P. teres isolates was not consistent with that from Run 1. CI 9819 caries duplicate genes for resistance to P. teres (Rpt1b and Rpt1c), and CI 7548 possesses Rpt3d. Both genotypes were highly resistant to all isolates. The Rpt1a gene of Tifang (CI4407) conferred resistance to all isolates in Run 2, but only to about half of the isolates in Run 1. The checks, including two of the symptomatically most resistant Nordic barley genotypes, were universally susceptible during these stringent tests. No selective pressure has been placed on Finnish isolates of P. teres through previous deployment of major resistance genes, and it is speculated that any variation in virulence among isolates is likely to be due to a combination of evolutionary forces including, natural selection, random genetic drift and gene flow.     

Screening for Fusarium resistance in seedling populations of Asiatic hybrid lily

A test to select Fusarium resistant seedlings of the Asiatic hybrid lily is described. Young seedlings of 28 populations, obtained from an incomplete diallel between eight parents with different levels of Fusarium resistance, were tested for resistance. Significant differences in Fusarium resistance between and within populations were detected. The average percentage of selected seedlings ranged from 34% in resistant × resistant crosses to 2% in susceptible × susceptible crosses. Although resistant descendants were obtained in susceptible × susceptible crosses, using at least one resistant parent produced higher percentages of resistant seedlings. The resistance level of the parents correlated highly with the general combining ability for Fusarium resistance based on the seedling test. For eight populations, seedlings selected for Fusarium resistance and non-tested (control) seedlings of the same cross were compared, after propagation, in a clonal test. Variation between and within populations, found at seedling level, was confirmed at clonal level. A positive selection response was found for all eight populations. In the seedling test, approximately 18% of the seedlings were selected as resistant of which 15% (2.7% of seedlings tested) appeared to be susceptible escapes. Comparison between selection at seedling level and at clonal level indicated that approximately 25% of the seedlings tested were missed (rejected resistant plants) in the seedling test. The practical use of a seedling test for Fusarium resistance in lily breeding programs is discussed.     

Fungitoxic effect of scopolin and related coumarins on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. A way to overcome sunflower head rot

Summary The content of coumarins, as probable phytoalexins, was analysed in four sunflower genotypes that ranged in responses to head rot from highly susceptible to highly resistant. Low levels of all coumarins (scopolin, scopoletin and ayapin) were detected in the three most susceptible genotypes irrespective of time after inoculation. However, in the resistant genotype there was a clear time-dependent disease-induced increase of all coumarins that reached a maximum after 10–14 days. Detailed comparison of the most susceptible and the resistant genotype showed that in the resistant but not the susceptible, scopoletin peroxidase activity increased during the course of the experiment. Results confirmed a clear negative correlation between coumarin content and disease symptoms and in particular for scopolin. Furthermore we show for the first time that scopolin is inhibitory to Sclerotinia at similar doses to scopoletin. As scopolin is known to be less phytotoxic than ayapin and scopoletin, its accumulation may well confer head rot resistance with minimal plant damage and might be one of the bases for resistance to Sclerotinia.     

The reaction of Chrysanthemum cultivars to Puccinia horiana and the inheritance of resistance

Summary Four types of reaction of Chrysanthemum morifolium to infection by Puccinia horiana are described. (1) Resistant plants show no macroscopic lesions. Cultivars classified as resistant carry a single dominant gene mostly in a simplex, sometimes in a duplex condition. (2). Incomplete resistance provides good protection but under extreme test conditions some pustules develop slowly. (3) Necrosis inhibits spore formation to a large extent. The progenies of crosses between necrotic and susceptible cultivars are mostly susceptible. (4) Susceptible plants sporulate abundantly.The merits of the three types of resistance are discussed.     

Comparison of the resistance and susceptibility to downy mildew [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyaloperonospora parasitica</Emphasis>, constant. (Pers. Ex Fr)] of nine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica olearacea</Emphasis> accessions in laboratory,seedbed, and field screens

The relationship between resistance in seedlings, young and adult plants is studied for the pathosystem Brassica oleracea–Hyaloperonospora parasitica. Genotypes identified in the laboratory as resistant or susceptible or exhibiting a differential reaction to a selection of H. parasitica isolates were tested in 1997–1999 in seedbeds and fields under natural infestation. Isolates tested in the laboratory were grouped in five pathotypes, of which four were presented by isolates from Brittany, France. Genotypes susceptible to all pathotypes in the laboratory were also susceptible in the seedbed and field tests, while genotypes expressing a differential response to pathotypes were either resistant or susceptible. Accessions Everest, DEGC, ESPG and RS1105 exhibiting resistance to all pathotypes except I, were resistant in all environments and remained resistant in 2000–2002. Pathotype I was not prevailing in the field and results support the hypothesis that accessions resistant under laboratory conditions will be resistant under field conditions, provided the same pathotypes are present under the laboratory and field conditions.     

Resistance of nineteen cultivars of subterranean clover to four races of Phytophthora clandestina

Summary The resistance of 19 cultivars of subterranean clover was screened against 4 races of P. clandestina by mycelial inoculation of roots of 10-day-old seedlings growing in water agar and by growing seedlings in pasteurised potting mix containing infested vermiculite in controlled conditions. The cultivars showed differential resistance (vertical resistance) to races of the pathogen and can be divided into 4 resistance groups. Cultivars Clare, Esperance, Green Range, Junee, Mount Barker, Rosedale, Woogenellup and Yarloop were susceptible to all races. Cultivars Bacchus Marsh, Denmark, Enfield, Gosse, Goulburn, Karridale, Larisa, Leura and Trikkala were susceptible to races 1 and 3, but resistant to races 0 and 2. Cultivar Meteora was susceptible to races 2 and 3, but resistant to races 0 and 1. Cultivar Seaton Park (LF) was resistant to all races. Cultivars also varied in their race-non-specific (horizontal) resistance: cultivars that were susceptible to particular races usually varied in their degree of susceptibility to those races. In particular, Junee was more resistant to all four races than the other cultivars within its group. Similarly, cultivars Gosse, Larisa, Denmark and Trikkala were more resistant to races 1 and 3 than the other cultivars in their group. Races of the pathogen varied in their aggressiveness as well as in their virulence, as shown by the variation in aggressiveness of different isolates of race 0.     

Segregation distortion of Brassica carinata derived black rot resistance in Brassica oleracea

Three segregating F₂ populations were developed by self-pollinating 3 black rot resistant F₁ plants, derived from across between black rot resistant parent line 11B-1-12 and the susceptible cauliflower cultivar ‘Snow Ball’. Plants were wound inoculated using 4 isolates ofXanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) race 4, and disease severity ratings of F₂ plants from the three populations were scored. A total of 860 arbitrary oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify DNA from black rot resistant and susceptible F₂ plants and bulks. Eight RAPD markers amplified fragments associated with completely disease free plants following black rot inoculation,which segregated in frequencies far lower than expected. Segregation of markers with black rot resistance indicates that a single, dominant major gene controls black rot resistance in these plants. Stability of this black rot resistance gene in populations derived from 11B-1-12 may complicate introgression into B. oleracea genotypes for hybrid production. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.