Verticillium wilt resistant potato germplasm: A66107-51 and A68113-4

Potato breeding selections A66107-51 and A68113-4 (Solanum tuberosum gptuberosum) are being released as germplasm that is highly resistant to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) These selections have been extensively evaluated for resistance to Verticillium as measured by symptom severity and degree of colonization byV. dahliae. They combine outstanding wilt resistance with good tuber maturity characteristics, high yield, and french fry processing tuber type. A66107-51 has long-oblong, russeted tubers, with high yield and variable processing quality. A68113-4 has long-oblong, partially russeted tubers with high yield and good processing quality. Both selections are fertile as female parents, and A66107-51 is occasionally pollen fertile. The Verticillium resistance of these two clones has been transmitted to progeny. These selections were developed by USDA-ARS in cooperation with the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. Seed is available from USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, Idaho.     

Verticillium wilt of potato: a model of key factors related to disease severity and tuber yield in Southeastern Idaho

In three years (1994, 1995, and 1996), a total of 100 commercial potato fields in southeastern Idaho were surveyed for soil variables, severity of Verticillium wilt, soil inoculum density ofVerticillium dahliae andColletotrichum coccodes, colonization of stems, root, and tubers byV. dahliae andC. coccodes, and tuber yield, size, and quality. As a generalization, factors related to soil integrity (organic matter, organic nitrogen, and increased nutrient availability) were most closely related to wilt suppression and higher tuber yields, whereas factors related to loss of soil integrity (sodium and reduced nutrient availability) were related to increased wilt and lower tuber yields. In a multiple regression analysis, three independent variables, feeder-root infections byV. dahliae, sodium content in soil, and soil organic content, were significant predictors of tuber yield. With these three factors, this model accounted for 49%, 53%, and 62% of the field variability related to total yield in 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively. Throughout this investigation,V. dahliae root infections had the most direct effect on tuber yield, which emphasizes the importance of quantifying root infections in epidemiological studies of Verticillium wilt. Based on these results, organic matter may be one factor that can be manipulated for suppression of Verticillium wilt without reducing soil populations of the pathogen.     

An assay to quantify vascular colonization of potato byVerticillium dahliae

A procedure was developed and tested to evaluate potato germ plasm for relative rates of vascular colonization byVerticillium dahliae. The number of colony forming units (CFU) per ml of plant sap, extracted from stems and plated on a medium, was used to assess vascular colonization from plants grown for 100 days in a field plot infested withV. dahliae. Sap extracted from main stem tissue at the ground line gave more CFU ofV. dahliae than tissue at the mid and apical region of the main stem. Aliquots of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 ml of plant sap were equally efficient in measuring vascular colonization. Thirty-three clones were evaluated for amount of vascular colonization in field and greenhouse tests with the former giving the best results. Cultivars and clones resistant to Verticillium wilt in Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, North Dakota and New York each had a low index of wilt and a low number of CFU/ml ofV. dahliae in plant sap in these tests. Clones intermediate in both wilt index and vascular colonization as well as selections with a high wilt index and extensive vascular colonization were found using the fresh sap assay method. Correlation values of, r = 0.92, r = 0.91 and r = 0.86 were observed between CFU/ml and percentage of foliar wilt for 11 clones/cultivars in 1986, 1987 and 1988, respectively. The correlation between CFU/ml and both moisture and temperature for the cultivars Kennebec and Russet Burbank, during a 6-yr period was r = 0.83.     

Effect of Soil Temperature,Injection Depth,and Metam Sodium Rate on the Management of Verticillium Wilt of Potato

Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., is a primary component of the early dying complex of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the United States. Although genetic resistance to V. dahliae exists and has been incorporated into several potato cultivars, the commercial potato industry is still dominated by cultivars susceptible to the pathogen. As a result, soil fumigation with metam sodium remains an important means by which Verticillium wilt is controlled, despite its expense and potentially negative environmental impact. Recent restrictions on metam sodium use by the Environmental Protection Agency directed at reducing exposure to vapor emissions have increased the need to improve shank injection of the soil fumigant. In studies reported here, the application of metam sodium reduced the severity of Verticillium wilt, however, soil temperature at the time of injection, metam sodium injection depth, and application rate had little overall effect. In 2011, temperature at the time of metam sodium injection did not result in significant differences in any parameter evaluated. However, in 2012, soil populations of V. dahliae, wilt severity and host colonization were significantly reduced when metam sodium was applied at 4 °C compared to 13 or 15 °C. No significant differences were observed between a single or two metam sodium injection depths in any parameter evaluated across the 2 years the study was conducted. While all rates of metam sodium significantly reduced soil populations of V. dahliae compared to the non-treated control, significant differences across rates were rarely observed. Improved control of Verticillium wilt and increased yield can be achieved as a result of these studies. The effective control of Verticillium wilt can be obtained by using metam sodium at a comparatively low rate of 373 l/ha, particularly when applied at a relatively cold soil temperature of 4 °C using a single injection depth of 25 cm. The potential impact of these application modifications of metam sodium in reducing emissions and non-target exposure is discussed.     

Erwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica infection promotes verticillium wilt development in potato in Israel

Summary The interaction betweenErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica (Eca) andVerticillium dahliae and its effect on symptom development in potato cultivars showing different degrees of resistance to them was examined over two seasons in irrigated fields in a hot, dry climate. Four cultivars were used: Cara, highly resistant to blackleg and tolerant to Verticillium wilt; Pentland Crown also resistant to blackleg but susceptible to Verticillium wilt; Désirée, moderately susceptible to blackleg but tolerant to Verticillium wilt; and Maris Bard, susceptible to both diseases. Seed tubers were inoculated with Eca immediately after harvest in Scotland, to simulate natural infection, and then planted in Israel in soil naturally infested byV. dahliae. In Verticillium tolerant cultivars, Eca infection increased the rate of colonization byV. dahliae and significantly enhanced symptom development, as assessed by suppression of plant height and wilt symptoms. This report is a portion of the Ph.D. thesis of the senior author in Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.     

Management of nitrogen and phosphorus rates does not suppress verticillium wilt in yukon gold

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization rates on the incidence of Verticillium wilt caused byVerticillium albo-atrum orV. dahliae and tuber yield in potato cv Yukon Gold was evaluated in field plots. In three years of study,V. albo-atrum caused a higher incidence of wilt symptoms (74%–100%) thanV. dahliae (5%–81%) resulting in lower marketable tuber yield. In plots infested withV. albo-atrum, tuber yield ranged from 12.3-22.8 T ha1 compared to 18.1– 31.5 T ha^-1 in plots infested withV. dahliae. Application of nitrogen above (280 kg ha^-1) or below (70 kg ha^-1) the recommended rate of 140 kg ha^-1 at planting did not suppress foliar symptoms or protect against yield loss caused by eitherV. albo-atrum orV. dahliae. Similarly, phosphorus rate adjustments did not consistently affect disease incidence regardless of the pathogen. Management of nitrogen or phosphorus fertility rates at planting does not appear to be a viable approach for suppressing Verticillium wilt in the determinant, wiltsusceptible cultivar Yukon Gold.     

Early detection of Verticillium wilt resistance in a potato breeding program

Nine potato clones/cultivars selected for varying degrees of Verticillium wilt (VW) resistance based on degree of vascular colonization, were intercrossed and outcrossed to 13 uncharacterized clones. Based on growth characteristics of 3,535 seedling transplants and an assay quantifyingV. dahliae in potato vascular tissue, 404 clones were selected for further tests. The average number ofVerticillium dahliae colony forming units (CFU) expressed as Log₁₀(CFU + l)/0.1 ml of plant sap for the 404 clones was 2.3, and 1.3 and 3.7 for resistant Reddale and susceptible Kennebec checks, respectively. Thirty-five clones (8.66%) had CFU values equal to or less than Reddale suggesting that VW resistance is a readily transmitted trait.     

Evaluation of potato clones for severity of Verticillium wilt, yield and specific gravity in Maine

In 1994 and 1995, the effect of Verticillium wilt, caused byVerticillium dahliae andV. albo-atrum, on tuber yields, number and weight of U.S. No. 1 and B size tubers, and specific gravity was studied in northern Maine, an area with a short growing season. Seven clones (four resistant and three susceptible) were evaluated in a split-plot design with three replications. Clones were the whole-plot factor, and seed pieces in sub-plots were either uninoculated or inoculated with 50 ml of 4 × 10⁴ cfu/mlVerticillium spp. at planting. Individual plants were scored for Verticillium wilt symptoms before harvest on a 1= <3% wilt to 10= >97% wilt. Differences among clones for wilting and specific gravity were significant. The inoculation treatment had no effect on any of the tuber traits measured. However, there were significant clone x inoculation interactions for most tuber traits. Reductions in yield, weight and number of U.S. No. 1 potatoes, and specific gravity were greater in the Verticillium wilt susceptible clones than in the resistant clones. These results suggest that breeding clones with resistance toVerticillium spp. will reduce yield losses, while maintaining tuber size and specific gravity under disease pressure.     

Maturity-Adjusted Resistance of Potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis> L.) Cultivars to Verticillium Wilt Caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verticillium dahliae</Emphasis>

Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease of potato caused by two species of Verticillium, V. dahliae and V. albo atrum. The pathogen infects the vascular tissue of potato plants through roots, interfering with the transport of water and nutrition, and reducing both the yield and quality of tubers. We have evaluated the reaction of 283 potato clones (274 cultivars and nine breeding selections) to inoculation with V. dahliae under greenhouse conditions. A significant linear correlation (r = 0.4, p < 0.0001) was detected between plant maturity and partial resistance to the pathogen, with late maturing clones being generally more resistant. Maturity-adjusted resistance, that takes into consideration both plant maturity and resistance, was calculated from residuals of the linear regression between the two traits. Even after adjusting for maturity, the difference in the resistance of clones was still highly significant, indicating that a substantial part of resistance cannot be explained by the effect of maturity. The highest maturity-adjusted resistance was found in the cv. Navajo, while the most susceptible clone was the cv. Pungo. We hope that the present abundance of data about the resistance and maturity of 283 clones will help potato breeders to develop cultivars with improved resistance to V. dahliae.     

Effect of annual sequence of removing or flaming potato vines and fumigating soil on verticillium wilt of potato

The effects of removing or flaming potato vines and soil fumigation on population density ofVerticillium dahliae in soil, severity of Verticillium wilt, and tuber yield were studied in a field near Alliston, Ontario, between 1993 and 1996. Vines were physically removed or flamed using a propane flamer in September just before harvest and soil was fumigated with metam-sodium (Vapam) at 550 L/ha in October after harvest. Vine removal had no effect on soil populations ofV. dahliae, area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), or tuber yield. Flaming once (1993), twice (1993 and 1994), or three (1993,1994, and 1995) times reduced the soil population density ofV. dahliae, and flaming twice (1993 and 1994) reduced AUDPC compared to the nontreated control, but had no effect on tuber yield. Fumigation once (1993) or twice (1993 and 1994) reduced pathogen density in soil and AUDPC, but did not increase tuber yield. Fumigation once (1993) or twice (1993 and 1994), in combination with flaming twice (1993 and 1994), was equally and significantly effective in reducing both population density ofV. dahliae in soil and AUDPC values and in increasing tuber yield in 1995. Annual flaming of vines in combination with soil fumigation once (1993) or twice (1993 and 1994) in the fall improved the control of Verticillium wilt of potato and realised the greatest profits.     

Reaction of potato clones and accessions ofSolanum spp. toVerticillium dahliae Kleb. and its toxin

Summary The reaction of 40 potato clones and six accessions ofSolanum spp. to wilt caused byVerticillium dahliae and to the acetone precipitate (AP) of the toxin produced by the pathogen in vitro was studied. There was a highly significant correlation between the wilt reaction of the clones in the glasshouse, the incidence and progress of wilt and severe wilt in the field, and the degree of colonization of stem apices byV. dahliae. Of the clones and accessions evaluated, NDA8694-3, Norgold Russet, BelRus, Superior, Russet Norkotah, Norland andS. demissum were the most susceptible, while A66107-51, A68113-4, Targhee, NDA843-3, Alpha, A7805-8, A7816-14, Russet Nugget,S. chacoense, S. sparsipilum, andS. tarijense were the most resistant to wilt. The reaction of genotypes to the AP ofV. dahliae toxin in an excised leaf bioassay was not correlated with their reaction to Verticillium wilt in the field or glasshouse. Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station Article No. 89741.     

Verticillium wilt resistant germplasm-release of clone LRC18-21 and derivatives

Verticillium wilt is an important disease affecting potato tuber yield and quality. In North America the major commercial cultivars are susceptible, and management strategies for control rely mainly on soil fumigation and crop rotation. We describe aSolanum chacoense clone (LRC18-21) with single gene (V_c) resistance to Verticillium wilt as well as germplasm derived from the original clone. LRC18-21 (diploidS. cha-coense), LRC418-21 (tetraploidS. chacoense) and LRC373-5 (diploidS. tuberosum/chacoense hybrid) and LRC4373-5 (tetraploidS. tuberosum/chacoense hybrid) have been released to Potato Introduction Station (NRSP-6, Sturgeon Bay, WI) for distribution to interested parties. Transfer of the V_c gene to commercial cultivars could provide effective and economical control of verticillium wilt.     

Non-wound-induced suberization of tuber parenchyma cells: A physiological response to the wilt disease pathogenVerticillium dahliae

Verticillium spp. wilt pathogens enter the root and eventually penetrate xylem vessels of the plant where they can spread into the vascular tissue of the potato tuber. Infected tuber vessel elements often become discolored creating a serious internal tuber quality defect that prevents sale of raw product to its primary market. Despite the costly losses and disease issues created by these infections, the physiological responses to colonization of tuber vessel elements are poorly described, and a model system to study these responses in the laboratory has not been developed. The objectives of this research were to develop such a model system by determining if tuber vessel elements could be infiltrated withVerticillium spp. in a laboratory setting and if a detectable physiological response could be elicited and identified. Results demonstrated that tuber vessel elements in the model system could be infiltrated and that infiltration ofVerticillium dahliae Kleb. conidia into these vessel elements induced a suberization response on the walls of neighboring parenchyma cells. However, the walls of the infiltrated tuber vessel elements did not suberize. A similar suberization response was found in tubers that had been naturally infected byVerticillium dahliae in the field. The suberization response was histochemically determined by assessing the accumulation of suberin poly(aliphatics) and poly(phenolics). This process of internal suberization of tuber parenchyma cells occurred without induction by a wound signal. Consequently, the suberization signal was derived by introduction of the plant-pathogen into the tuber vessel elements. This simple model system provides a versatile tool to investigate the physiological responses of potato tuber to colonization of vessel elements. This is believed to be the first report for such a physiological response toVerticillium spp. in potato tuber.     

Trichoderma asperellum is effective for biocontrol of Verticillium wilt in olive caused by the defoliating pathotype of Verticillium dahliae

Verticillium wilt caused by a highly virulent, defoliating (D) pathotype of Verticillium dahliae is threatening olive production in Spain and other Mediterranean countries. This disease must be managed by an integrated strategy, in which biocontrol agents can play an important role. We have investigated the potential of Trichoderma asperellum strains for antagonism against V. dahliae and suppression of Verticillium wilt of olive caused by the D pathotype. First, we tested the antagonistic potential of T. asperellum strains Bt2, Bt3 and T25 against six V. dahliae isolates, four of the D and two of the nondefoliating (ND) pathotypes, in different in vitro assays. All T. asperellum strains overgrew the colonies of all V. dahliae isolates to a similar extent. However, extracellular compounds from strains Bt3 and T25 showed higher anti-V. dahliae activities than those of Bt2 in membrane assays. Also, growth of Bt2 was reduced by ND V. dahliae whereas that of Bt3 and T25 was not affected by V. dahliae-secreted compounds. In planta assays using strains Bt3 and T25, and ’Picual’ olive plants, showed that the two T. asperellum strains significantly reduced the severity of symptoms and the standardized area under the disease progress curve caused by highly virulent D V. dahliae, but not the final disease incidence. Strain T25 significantly increased growth of ‘Picual’ plants and displayed higher ability for colonizing the olive rhizosphere and establishing endophytic infection in olive roots than Bt3.     

Agronomic performance of potato germplasm selected for high resistance to verticillium wilt

A three-year study was conducted from 1991 through 1993 to evaluate the field performance of potato clones that had been selected for resistance to wilt symptom development and stem colonization byVerticillium dahliae. The total yield, size distribution, and specific-gravity of these highly resistant clones were compared with standard cultivars and two parent clones with high Verticillium resistance and high yield, A66107-51 and A68113-4. Two groups of Verticillium resistant germplasm were selected in 1991. One group was the highly resistant progeny from a cross between A66107-51 and A68113-4. The second group consisted of hybrids between wild species accessions with high Verticillium resistance and cultivated diploid and tetraploid germplasm. Twenty-one out of 125 progeny clones from the A66107-51 × A68113-4 cross were highly resistant to Verticillium infection and were tested in yield trials for two years. Another eight selections had high Verticillium resistance but such low yield of seed tubers that they were tested only one year for yield. Eleven of the original 29 highly resistant selections were significantly lower in total yield than Russet Burbank. Only one clone was significantly higher in yield than RB, and none outyielded either of the resistant parents. Reddale and Century Russet had moderate to high Verticillium resistance, respectively. Both outyielded Russet Burbank and were comparable with the high yielding resistant parents. Of 15 interspecific hybrids tested in 1991, only four had sufficient yield to produce seed for yield trials and good wilt resistance after three successive seasons of evaluation. We concluded from this study that selecting at early stages of variety development strictly for Verticillium resistance is likely to be inefficient. Rather, selection should be for yield and other agronomic criteria in Verticillium infested fields.     

Fertility and management practices to control verticillium wilt of the russet burbank potato

Management practices for the suppression of Verticillium wilt of Russet Burbank potato include sanitation, use of optimum sprinkler-irrigation practices, soil solarization, and an adequate soil fertility program. Among all cultural factors considered, nitrogen (N) deficiency in potato tissue was most commonly associated with the severity of Verticiilium wilt in Russet Burbank potato. Field studies have shown that increased N availability suppresses Verticiilium incidence on cv Russet Burbank while having no effect on cv Norgold Russet. Studies from both greenhouse and field show that the colonization ofV dahliae in potato stem tissue is suppressed in cv Russet Burbank when the availability of Phosphorous (P) is increased to the optimum. Following one season of cropping with Russet Burbank potato, the treatment providing the optimal N availability also suppressed the increases ofV dahliae populations in the soil during the following year of consecutive cropping. Similarly, after two seasons of continuous potato cropping, treatments with optimal P had lower soil populations ofV. dahliae in soil. Results show the suppression of Verticiilium wilt with optimal fertility. Verticiilium wilt [caused by eitherVerticiilium dahliae Kleb, (microsclerotial form) orVerticiilium albo- atrum Reinke and Berthold (dark mycelial form)] is one of the most severe diseases of potato in the United States. Potato yields, tuber size, and specific gravity may be substantially reduced by this disease, depending on severity, time of occurrence, and growing season. In Idaho and other arid growing regions of the United States, Verticiilium wilt is caused byVerticillium dahliae Kleb. Idaho field studies involving cropping practices, soil fumigation treatments, solarization, and Verticillium-resistant potato clones all support the importance ofV dahliae upon potato yield. Data from these studies show that yield losses due toV. dahliae commonly approximate 5 to 12 metric T/ha (5, 6). Table 1 illustrates the effect of several cropping practices upon relativeV dahliae populations in soil with the effects upon both disease severity and potato yield. With continuous cropping of Russet Burbank,V dahliae populations in soil increased, and yields were reduced by 18 to 19 metric Tlha when compared to locations that had been allowed to remain either weed-free and fallow or where corn had been previously cropped. It was estimated thatV dahliae was influencing yield by about 10 to 12 metric Tlha based on a regression analysis of yield as a function ofV dahliae populations in soil. Similarly, whenV dahliae was suppressed by fumigation treatments involving mixtures of dichloropropene and picfume, yields more significantly increased by 6.5 to 12 metric T/ha (5). Although many factors may influence yields, clones with higher Verticillium resistance than Russet Burbank generally out-yield Russet Burbank. Figure 1 demonstrates the effect of solarization (a technique involving the laying of clear plastic on soil for the purpose of elevating soil temperatures to killV dahliae). When Verticillium was controlled in this manner (lo), there was no significant yield difference between the Russet Burbank potato and the highly resistant A68113-4 clone. The A68113-4 clone grown in non-solarized soil out-yielded the Russet Burbank in non-solarized soil by 31 percent while the solarization treatment significantly increased yield for the Russet Burbank and A68113-4 clones by 46 and 18 percent, respectively. These yield responses were observed in a field where inoculum levels ofV dahliae were relatively low (2.10 cfulgrn of soil). With these losses, the need to develop control procedures is great and to achieve this control the need also exists to accurately evaluate the effect of treatments uponV dahliae. Our Idaho studies have routinely utilized such a procedure (9) in combination with comparisons of both disease severity and yield.     

Induction of soil suppressiveness to verticillium wilt of potato by successive croppings

Nine soils collected in New Jersey and Maryland were infested with microsclerotia ofVerticillium dahliae and planted with potato cv. Superior for five successive crops in the greenhouse to induce suppressiveness to Verticillium wilt. Potatoes were harvested 9–12 wk after planting and disease incidence was determined by recovery ofV. dahliae from stem segments on selective medium. Six of the nine soils had high disease incidence during the first cropping and remained conducive to Verticillium wilt throughout the experiment. Disease incidence increased in soils 3 and 9 over time, while disease incidence decreased nonlinearly in soil 1. Viability of microsclerotia buried in soil 9 for 4 wks was reduced compared to the viability of microsclerotia buried in soils 1, 3, and 6. Addition of 50 or 100 g hydrated lime/10 kg soil to soil 9 eliminated its suppressiveness to Verticillium wilt. Repeated cropping of the same soil can induce suppressiveness to Verticillium wilt. Soils exhibiting induced suppressiveness may be a source of new antagonists againstV. dahliae.     

Potato Stem Cuttings to Study <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verticillium dahliae</Emphasis> Infection for Resistance Breeding and ‘omics’ Studies

Consistent and effective methods for early discrimination of pathogen resistance, and selection of times for tissue sampling, are important for experiments using global gene expression and metabolomics. Assays for resistance to the vascular pathogen Verticillium dahliae (Vd), the causal agent of Verticillium wilt (VW), are particularly difficult because escapes are common in field assays. Seedling dip assays offer a potential solution, but homogeneous populations are not typically available. As an alternative strategy, we have developed a protocol for studying spatiotemporal infection dynamics of Vd using potato stem cuttings. The protocol was validated using genotypes varying in resistance/susceptibility to Vd. Although there were no visual symptoms in the plants, stem sections were infested with Vd as early as 7 dpi. Symptoms were first observed in the most susceptible genotype at 10 dpi and became apparent on all test subjects at 14 dpi. The protocol has potential applications in resistance breeding and ‘omics’ studies where populations derived from true seeds are not available.     

The effect of netted scab (Streptomyces spp.) andVerticillium dahliae on growth and yield of potato

Summary The effect ofStreptomyces spp. (netted scab) on the growth of potato was investigated in three pot experiments, in two of which the effect ofVerticillium dahliae was also assessed. The netted scab organisms attacked all underground plant parts of susceptible potato cultivars early in the growing season; the roots were especially seriously attacked, markedly reducing tuber yield and number but prolonging the duration of the growing season. The nematicide oxamyl had little effect on the incidence of netted scab. Repeated growing of the susceptible cv. Bintje greatly increased soil contamination with the netted scab pathogens. V. dahliae reduced haulm growth before wilt symptoms were evident and it reduced tuber yield but not number. Oxamyl delayed infection byV. dahliae by controlling parasiticPratylenchus nematodes (mainlyP. thornei).     

Study of gene effects for cotton yield and Verticillium wilt tolerance in cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., is a destructive disease of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The use of resistant cultivars has long been considered the most practical and effective mean of control. The aim of this work was to study the quantitative genetic basis of Verticillium wilt resistance in Upland cotton by using five genotypes and their possible crosses without reciprocals selecting simultaneously for resistance and desirable agronomic characteristics. Five cotton cultivars and 10 F1s from half-diallel crosses were analyzed for VW resistance. The seed cotton yield, the number of bolls/ plant, and boll weight were measured and Verticillium wilt index (VWI) was estimated during two crop seasons in two different sites each year always on plots with naturally infested soil. Genetic components of variance were analyzed using the Hayman model. Analysis of variance for all characters showed significant differences between genotypes, without genotype-site interaction in most cases. Both, additive genetic variance component (D) and dominance genetic variance components (H1 and H2) were presented in all characters, except for VWI. D was the most important component for boll weight and VWI. Boll weight was the most correlated character with seed cotton yield and VWI. Broad sense heritability was high for boll weight and VWI, moderate for seed cotton yield and low for bolls per plant. Narrow sense heritability was moderate for boll weight, and high for VWI.