Response of interspecific Brassica juncea/Brassica rapa hybrids and their advanced progenies to Albugo candida (white blister)

Transfer of factors for resistance to white blister disease caused by Albugo candida between Brassica species involving two genotypes each of B. juncea and B. rapa was studied in hybrids. More hybrids were obtained by in vivo than in vitro techniques, although an in vitro phase was a prerequisite for the establishment of in vivo hybrids. Hybrids were identified by PCR-based inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers with both male and female species-specific bands being identified. There was a positive correlation between disease severity and number of days after sowing ( r  > 0·93), the highest being towards pod formation and plant maturity at 110 days after sowing. The plants from F₂ and BC₁ progeny showed higher resistance to A. candida than either of the parents. Plants of B. juncea and B. rapa with high field resistance (disease index < 1·0) were selected from BC₂ and F₂BC₁ generations. The frequency of plants classified as resistant in BC₂ progeny ranged from 4·5 to 39·0% in cross-combinations involving B. juncea genotypes as female parent, compared with 100% in the reciprocal cross involving B. rapa as female parent.     

New Avirulence Genes in the Phytopathogenic Fungus Leptosphaeria maculans

ABSTRACT Leptosphaeria maculans, the causal agent of stem canker of oilseed rape (Brassica napus), develops gene-for-gene interactions with oilseed rape, and four L. maculans avirulence (AVR) genes (AvrLm1, AvrLm2, AvrLm4, and alm1) were previously genetically characterized. Based on the analysis of progeny of numerous in vitro crosses between L. maculans isolates showing either already characterized or new differential interactions, this work aims to provide an overview of the AVR genes that may specify incompatibility toward B. napus and the related species B. juncea and B. rapa. Two novel differential interactions were thus identified between L. maculans and B. napus genotypes, one of them corresponding to a complete resistance to European races of L. maculans. In both cases, a single gene control of avirulence was established (genes AvrLm3 and AvrLm7). Similarly, a single gene control of avirulence toward a B. rapa genotype, also resistant to European L. maculans isolates, was demonstrated (gene AvrLm8). Finally, a digenic control of avirulence toward B. juncea was established (genes AvrLm5 and AvrLm6). Linkage analyses demonstrated that at least four unlinked L. maculans genomic regions, including at least one AVR gene cluster (AvrLm1-AvrLm2-AvrLm6), are involved in host specificity. The AvrLm3-AvrLm4-AvrLm7 region may correspond either to a second AVR gene cluster or to a multiallelic AVR gene.     

Dual control of avirulence in Leptosphaeria maculans towards a Brassica napus cultivar with 'sylvestris-derived' resistance suggests involvement of two resistance genes

Blackleg disease (phoma stem canker) of Brassica napus (canola, oilseed rape) is caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans . In some regions of Australia, resistance in oilseed rape cultivars derived from B. rapa subs . sylvestris (e.g. cv. Surpass 400) became ineffective within three years of commercial release. The genetic control of avirulence in L. maculans towards cv. Surpass 400 is described. When Australian field isolates were screened on this cultivar, three phenotypic classes were observed; virulent, intermediate and avirulent. Analysis of crosses between fungal isolates varying in their ability to infect cv. Surpass 400 demonstrated the presence of two unlinked avirulence genes, AvrLm1 and AvrLmS . Complementation of isolates (genotype avrLm1 ) with a functional copy of AvrLm1 , and genotyping of field isolates using a molecular marker for AvrLm1 showed that virulence towards Rlm1 is necessary, but not sufficient, for expression of a virulent phenotype on cv. Surpass 400. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that cv. Surpass 400, with ' sylvestris -derived' resistance, contains at least two resistance genes, one of which is Rlm1 .     

Identification of Molecular Markers Linked to a Pyrenophora teres Avirulence Gene

ABSTRACT Genetic control of avirulence in the net blotch pathogen, Pyrenophora teres, was investigated. To establish an appropriate study system, a collection of 10 net form (P. teres f. teres) and spot form (P. teres f. maculata) isolates were evaluated on a set of eight barley lines to identify two isolates with differential virulence on an individual host line. Two net form isolates, WRS 1906, exhibiting avirulence on the cv. Heartland, and WRS 1607, exhibiting high virulence, were mated and 67 progeny were isolated and phenotyped for reaction on Heartland. The population segregated in a 1:1 ratio, 34 avirulent to 33 virulent (chi(2) = 0.0, P = 1.0), indicating single gene control of WRS 1906 avirulence on Heartland. Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify six amplified fragment length polymorphism markers closely linked to the avirulence gene (Avr(Heartland)). This work provides evidence that the P. teres-barley pathosystem conforms to the gene-for-gene model and represents an initial step toward map-based cloning of this gene.     

Genetic Analysis of Avirulence/Virulence of an Isolate of Magnaporthe grisea from a Rice Field in Texas

ABSTRACT An isolate of Magnaporthe grisea, Tm4, from a rice field in Texas was crossed with a fertile laboratory strain, 70-6. The progenies showed segregation of avirulence/virulence on rice cvs. Newbonnet, Lemont, Lebonnet, Leah, and Katy. The avirulent/virulent segregation ratios were 29:6 on Newbonnet, Lemont, and Lebonnet; 28:7 on Leah; and 33:2 on Katy. There was cosegregation on the first three cultivars. Several avirulent progenies were backcrossed to virulent parent 70-6. Three generations of backcrossing avirulent progenies to 70-6 led to segregation ratios that suggested certain strains had only one avirulence gene. Strains avirulent only on cv. Katy or only on cvs. Newbonnet, Lemont, and Lebonnet were test crossed with virulent siblings. Strains that gave progeny ratios approximating 1 avirulent:1 virulent when crossed with virulent siblings were selected for further test crossing. Intercrosses between strains with possible single avirulence genes were made to determine whether these strains had the same or different avirulence genes. Many lines still segregated two genes for avirulence after three generations of backcrossing. This is based on the recovery of virulent progenies from crossing two avirulent siblings.     

A Gene-for-Gene Relationship Between Wheat and Mycosphaerella graminicola, the Septoria Tritici Blotch Pathogen

ABSTRACT Specific resistances to isolates of the ascomycete fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola, which causes Septoria tritici blotch of wheat, have been detected in many cultivars. Cvs. Flame and Hereward, which have specific resistance to the isolate IPO323, were crossed with the susceptible cv. Longbow. The results of tests on F1 and F2 progeny indicated that a single semidominant gene controls resistance to IPO323 in each of the resistant cultivars. This was confirmed in F3 families of Flame x Longbow, which were either homozygous resistant, homozygous susceptible, or segregating in tests with IPO323 but were uniformly susceptible to another isolate, IPO94269. None of 100 F2 progeny of Flame x Hereward were susceptible to IPO323, indicating that the resistance genes in these two cultivars are the same, closely linked, or allelic. The resistance gene in cv. Flame was mapped to the short arm of chromosome 3A using microsatellite markers and was named Stb6. Fifty-nine progeny of a cross between IPO323 and IPO94269 were used in complementary genetic analysis of the pathogen to test a gene-for-gene relationship between Stb6 and the avirulence gene in IPO323. Avirulence to cvs. Flame, Hereward, Shafir, Bezostaya 1, and Vivant and the breeding line NSL92-5719 cosegregated, and the ratio of virulent to avirulent was close to 1:1, suggesting that these wheat lines may all recognize the same avirulence gene and may all have Stb6. Together, these data provide the first demonstration that isolate-specific resistance of wheat to Septoria tritici blotch follows a gene-for-gene relationship.     

A Near-Isogenic Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici Strain with a Novel Combination of Avirulence Characteristics

ABSTRACT A novel Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici strain (F1-27) was obtained from protoplast fusions between race 1 Fol004 (putative avirulence genotype A1a2a3) and race 2 Fol007 (a1A2A3). Bioassays using different tomato cultivars revealed new virulence characteristics for F1-27 that were mitotically stable. The corresponding avirulence genotype for F1-27 was assigned a1A2a3. Despite their distinction in avirulence genotype, molecular analysis revealed that parent Fol007 and F1-27 were near-isogenic strains. The electrophoretic karyotype of F1-27 was identical to that observed for Fol007. Foxy-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker analysis showed that all Fol007-specific bands were present in F1-27. In addition, 11 new F1-27-specific Foxy insertions were identified. Segregation of both virulence and these new Foxy-AFLP markers was observed in a backcross between F1-27 and its parent Fol007. One marker was found to cosegregate with the a3 allele. The nature of the genetic change in this strain is discussed.     

Gene Action and Linkage of Avirulence Genes to DNA Markers in the Rust Fungus Puccinia graminis

ABSTRACT Two strains of the wheat stem rust fungus, Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, were crossed on barberry, and a single F(1) progeny strain was selfed. The parents, F(1), and 81 F(2) progeny were examined for virulence phenotypes on wheat differential cultivars carrying stem rust resistance (Sr) genes. For eight Sr differentials, phenotypic ratios are suggestive of single dominant avirulence genes AvrT6, AvrT8a, AvrT9a, AvrT10, AvrT21, AvrT28, AvrT30, and AvrTU. Avirulence on the Sr; (Sr 'fleck') differential showed phenotypic ratios of approximately 15:1, indicating epistatic interaction of two genes dominant for avirulence. Avirulence on Sr9d favored a 3:13 over a 1:3 ratio, possibly indicating two segregating genes-one dominant for avirulence and one dominant for avirulence inhibition. Linkage analysis of eight single dominant avirulence genes and 970 DNA markers identified DNA markers linked to each of these avirulence genes. The closest linkages between AvrT genes and DNA markers were between AvrT6 and the random amplified polymorphic DNA marker crl34-155 (6 centimorgans [cM]) AvrT8a and the amplified fragment length polymorphism marker eAC/mCT-197 (6 cM) and between AvrT9a and the amplified fragment length polymorphism marker eAC/mCT-184 (6 cM). AvrT10 and AvrTU are linked at distance of 9 cM.     

Inheritance of partial resistance to race 2 of Albugo candida in canola-quality mustard (Brassica juncea) and its role in resistance breeding

The inheritance of partial resistance to race 2 of Albugo candida was studied in a canola-quality line of Brassica juncea . This partially resistant line was crossed with the susceptible B. juncea cultivar Commercial Brown. F₁, F₁(reciprocal), F₂, BC and doubled haploid generations from the cross were inoculated with a zoospore suspension of race 2 to study segregation of partial resistance. The partially resistant phenotype appeared to be controlled by a single dominant gene that has variable expression. This partial resistance can have implications in breeding for disease resistance against white rust, as adult plants did not develop hypertrophic growth or stagheads under greenhouse and field conditions.     

Identification of an Avirulence Gene in the Fungus Magnaporthe grisea Corresponding to a Resistance Gene at the Pik Locus

ABSTRACT A rice isolate of Magnaporthe grisea collected from China was avirulent on rice cvs. Hattan 3 and 13 other Japanese rice cultivars. The rice cv. Hattan 3 is susceptible to almost all Japanese blast fungus isolates from rice. The genetic basis of avirulence in the Chinese isolate on Japanese rice cultivars was studied using a cross between the Chinese isolate and a laboratory isolate. The segregation of avirulence or virulence was studied in 185 progeny from the cross, and monogenic control was demonstrated for avirulence to the 14 rice cultivars. The resistance gene that corresponds to the avirulence gene (Avr-Hattan 3) is thought to be located at the Pik locus. Resistance and susceptibility in response to the Chinese isolate in F(3) lines of a cross of resistant and susceptible rice cultivars were very similar to the Pik tester isolate, Ken54-20. Random amplified polymorphic DNA markers and restriction fragment length polymorphism markers from genetic maps of the fungus were used to construct a partial genetic map of Avr-Hattan 3. We obtained several flanking markers and one co-segregated marker of Avr-Hattan 3 in the 144 mapping population.     

Pathogenicity and race characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli isolates from Spain and Greece

Virulence (≡ severity of disease) and physiological specialization of nine isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli recovered in El Barco de Avila (Castilla y León, west-central Spain) and of two isolates from Chryssoupolis (Greece) were determined. The susceptibility/resistance response showed by a differential set of common bean cultivars ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) selected at the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT) delineated the isolates into two new races: races 6 and 7. The results of pathogenicity tests did not show any significant differences in virulence among the isolates. However, the reactions of several Spanish common bean cultivars indicated the presence of two groups of isolates, highly virulent and weakly virulent, among the Spanish isolates analysed. These results indicate that isolates classified in the same race are not homogeneous with respect to virulence, and suggests that race analysis using the CIAT differential cultivars is insufficient to describe the physiological specialization of F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli .     

Relationship between Avirulence Genes of the Same Family in Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe grisea

A genetic cross between rice-field isolates of Magnaporthe grisea produced progeny segregating for avirulence/ virulence on six rice cultivars among nine race differentials, while on three other cultivars, Shin 2 (Pik-s), Aichi Asahi (Pia) and Ishikari Shiroke (Pii), parental and progeny isolates were all virulent. Based on segregation ratios in 115 progeny isolates, avirulence on Kanto 51 (Pik), Yashiro-mochi (Pita), Fukunishiki (Piz) and Toride 1 (Piz-t) is under monogenic control. On Tsuyuake (Pik-m) and Pi No. 4 (Pita-2), however, a disproportionate ratio in the segregation was observed, suggesting that avirulence on these two cultivars is controlled by two or more genes. Assuming that the avirulence gene AvrPik-m consists of at least two genes, AvrPik-m1 and AvrPik-m2, each of which functions in the whole gene AvrPik-m, and that one of AvrPik-m1 and AvrPik-m2 is AvrPik, we could account for the disproportion in the avirulence/virulence segregation of the progeny. This hypothesis would also be consistently applied for avirulence gene AvrPita-2. There seem to be two types of the avirulence genes : AvrPik-m, that is comprised of the tightly linked genes, AvrPik-ml (=AvrPik) and AvrPik-m2, and AvrPita-2, that is comprised of the loosely linked genes AvrPita-2A (=AvrPita) and AvrPita-2B. As one possible explanation of the rice resistant reaction to blast, multiple specificity was suggested for the first time for the blast fungus. On the contrary, the avirulence genes AvrPiz and AvrPiz-t were inherited independently, despite the corresponding genes for resistance (Piz and Piz-t) being located at the same locus. The cross of rice blast isolates (races 447 and 337) produced only 25 kinds of races in the progeny, although theoretically about 64 kinds of races should be produced if six avirulence genes segregated independently. Because no progeny are with AvrPik (or AvrPita) and without AvrPik-m (or AvrPita-2), the number of races theoretically should be 36 at most. A number of strains, such as races 377 and 737, with a single avirulence gene were obtained from this cross. These strains may be valuable for analysis of resistance genes in rice plant. Received 19 August 2002/ Accepted in revised form 11 November 2002     

An avirulence gene to rice cultivar K60 is located on the 1.6-Mb chromosome in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnaporthe oryzae</Emphasis> isolate 84R-62B

A Japanese differential rice cultivar K60 was tested with 114 F₁ cultures of Magnaporthe oryzae from a cross between isolates 84R-62B and Y93-245c-2. Segregation patterns of avirulence and virulence in the progeny suggested that avirulence on cv. K60 was controlled by a single gene derived from 84R-62B and tentatively named AvrK60. In the F₁ population, AvrK60 cosegregated with avirulence gene AvrPik on a small 1.6-Mb chromosome of 84R-62B and with the 1.6-Mb chromosome itself. Therefore, we suggest that, along with AvrPik, AvrK60 is also located on the 1.6-Mb chromosome of 84R-62B.     

The inheritance of virulence of Phytophthora infestans to potato

Of 31 matings between isolates of P. infestans from several countries, six yielded enough progeny for analysis of inheritance of the virulence phenotype. Virulence was determined in vitro after inoculation of detached leaflets of nine differential lines of potato, each carrying a different gene for resistance. Parents of three matings carried an isozyme marker (glucosephosphate isomerase) which allowed the hybridity of most progeny to be confirmed. Apparently non-hybrid progeny from all three matings were probably selfs or apomicts; these were discarded. The inheritance of virulence in two sib-cross and one backcross family was determined. Patterns of inheritance in F₁ and F₂ indicated the presence of a gene-for-gene interaction in which alleles of a single locus in the pathogen conditioned virulence or avirulence on each differential. Although the hypothesis that avirulence alleles were dominant and virulence alleles were recessive was supported by many of the data, unexpected segregations were obtained. Alternative hypotheses to explain the latter included low aggressiveness in a proportion of the progeny, a second locus inhibiting avirulence in one parent, a different locus in each parent determining avirulence/virulence on one R-gene, and dominance of some alleles determining virulence. Avirulent field isolates appeared to be heterozygous ( A vravr ) rather than homozygous ( Avr Avr ) at avirulence loci. A somatic segregation from avirulence to virulence at three avirulence loci was postulated for one parental isolate. Evidence for linkage of these three loci suggested that the observed somatic segregation resulted from mitotic crossing-over.     

Sources and Origin of Resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris in Brassica Genomes

ABSTRACT Two hundred and seventy-six accessions of mainly Brassica spp. were screened for resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris races. In Brassica oleracea (C genome), the majority of accessions were susceptible to all races, but 43% showed resistance to one or more of the rare races (2, 3, 5, and 6) and a single accession showed partial resistance to races 1, 3, 5, and 6. Further searches for resistance to races 1 and 4, currently the most important races worldwide, and race 6, the race with the widest host range, were made in accessions representing the A and B genomes. Strong resistance to race 4 was frequent in B. rapa (A genome) and B. napus (AC genome), indicating an A genome origin. Resistance to races 1 and 4 was present in a high proportion of B. nigra (B genome) and B. carinata (BC genome) accessions, indicating a B genome origin. B. juncea (AB genome) was the most resistant species, showing either strong resistance to races 1 and 4 or quantitative resistance to all races. Potentially race-nonspecific resistance was also found, but at a lower frequency, in B. rapa, B. nigra, and B. carinata. The combination of race-specific and race-nonspecific resistance could provide durable control of black rot of crucifers.     

Genetic Analysis and Identification of Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers Linked to the alm1 Avirulence Gene of Leptosphaeria maculans

ABSTRACT A gene-for-gene interaction was previously suggested by mapping of a single major locus (LEM 1) controlling cotyledon resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans isolate PHW1245 in Brassica napus cv. Major. In this study, we obtained further evidence of a gene-for-gene interaction by studying the inheritance of the corresponding avirulence gene in L. maculans isolate PHW1245. The analysis of segregating F(1) progenies and 14 test crosses suggested that a single major gene is involved in the interaction. This putative avirulence gene was designated alm1 after the resistance locus identified in B. napus. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to generate a rudimentary genetic linkage map of the L. maculans genome and to locate markers linked to the putative avirulence locus. Two flanking AFLP markers, AC/TCC-1 and AC/CAG-5, were linked to alm1 at 3.1 and 8.1 cM, respectively. Identification of markers linked to the avirulence gene indicated that the differential interaction is controlled by a single gene difference between parental isolates and provides further support for the gene-for-gene relationship in the Leptosphaeria-Brassica system.     

Genetics of resistance to race TTKSK of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici in Triticum monococcum

Race TTKSK (or Ug99) of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici possesses virulence to several stem rust resistance genes commonly present in wheat cultivars grown worldwide. New variants detected in the race TTKSK lineage further broadened the virulence spectrum. The identification of sources of genetic resistance to race TTKSK and its relatives is necessary to enable the development and deployment of resistant varieties. Accessions of Triticum monococcum, an A-genome diploid wild and cultivated wheat, have previously been characterized as resistant to stem rust. Three resistance genes were identified and introgressed into hexaploid wheat: Sr21, Sr22, and Sr35. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic control and allelic relationships of resistance to race TTKSK in T. monococcum accessions identified through evaluations at the seedling stage. Generation F(2) progeny of 8 crosses between resistant and susceptible accessions and 13 crosses between resistant accessions of T. monococcum were evaluated with race TTKSK and often with North American races, including races QFCSC, TTTTF, and MCCFC. For a selected population segregating for three genes conferring resistance to race TTKSK, F(2:3) progeny were evaluated with races TTKSK, QFCSC, and TTTTF. In that population, we detected two genes conferring resistance to race TTKSK that are different from Sr21, Sr22, and Sr35. One of the new genes was effective to all races tested. The identification of these genes will facilitate the development of varieties with new resistance to race TTKSK.     

A dominant avirulence gene in Orobanche cumana triggers Or5 resistance in sunflower

Orobanche cumana is a weed that grows as a root parasite on sunflower. In general, the O. cumana–sunflower parasitic system is regarded to follow the gene‐for‐gene model, although this has never been demonstrated at the genetic level in O. cumana. The Or5 dominant gene in sunflower confers resistance to O. cumana race E, but not to race F. The objective of this research was to study the inheritance of avirulence/virulence in crosses between plants of O. cumana lines classified as races E and F. Four race E and three race F lines were developed, from which four race E × race F cross‐combinations were made, in three cases including reciprocals. In all cases, F₁ seeds did not have the ability to parasitise sunflower line P‐1380 carrying the Or5 gene, indicating dominance of race E avirulence allele(s). Five F₂ populations comprising a total of 387 F_2:3 families were evaluated on sunflower line P‐1380. In all cases, one‐fourth of the F_2:3 families did not possess the ability to parasitise P‐1380 plants, suggesting that race E avirulence and race F virulence on P‐1380 are allelic and controlled by a single locus. This study demonstrated the gene‐for‐gene interaction in the O. cumana–sunflower parasite system and provided useful information to identify genes involved in O. cumana virulence. The approach followed in this research can contribute to define precisely races of the parasite on the basis of the presence of avirulence genes.     

Biological and Molecular Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici Divides Race 1 Isolates into Separate Virulence Groups

ABSTRACT A collection of race 1 and race 2 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici was screened for vegetative compatibility and characterized by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis to establish the identity and genetic diversity of the isolates. Comparison of RAPD profiles revealed two main groups that coincide with vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs). In addition, several single-member VCGs were identified that could not be grouped in one of the two main RAPD clusters. This suggests that F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is a polyphyletic taxon. To assign avirulence genotypes to race 1 isolates, they were tested for their virulence on a small set of tomato lines (Lycopersicon esculentum), including line OT364. This line was selected because it shows resistance to race 2 isolates but, unlike most other race 2-resistant lines, susceptibility to race 1 isolates. To exclude the influence of other components than those related to the race-specific resistance response, we tested the virulence of race 1 isolates on a susceptible tomato that has become race 2 resistant by introduction of an I-2 transgene. The results show that both line OT364 and the transgenic line were significantly affected by four race 1 isolates, but not by seven other race 1 isolates nor by any race 2 isolates. This allowed a subdivision of race 1 isolates based on the presence or absence of an avirulence gene corresponding to the I-2 resistance gene. The data presented here support a gene-for-gene relationship for the interaction between F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and its host tomato.     

Frequency of Avirulence Alleles in Field Populations of Leptosphaeria maculans in Europe

This paper describes the first large-scale Europe-wide survey of avirulence alleles and races of Leptosphaeria maculans. Isolates were collected from the spring rape cultivar Drakkar, with no known genes for resistance against L. maculans, at six experimental sites across the main oilseed rape growing regions of Europe, including the UK, Germany, Sweden and Poland. Additionally in Poland isolates were collected from cv. Darmor, which has resistance gene, Rlm9. In total, 603 isolates were collected during autumn in 2002 (287 isolates from Germany and the UK) and 2003 (316 isolates from Poland and Sweden). The identity of alleles at eight avirulence loci was determined for these isolates. No isolates had the virulence allele avrLm6 and three virulence alleles (avrLm2, avrLm3 and avrLm9) were present in all isolates. The isolates were polymorphic for AvrLm1, AvrLm4, AvrLm5 and AvrLm7 alleles, with virulence alleles at AvrLm1 and AvrLm4 loci and avirulence alleles at AvrLm7 and AvrLm5 loci predominant in populations. Virulent avrLm7 isolates were found at only one site in Sweden. Approximately 90% of all isolates belonged to one of two races (combinations of avirulence alleles), Av5-6-7 (77% of isolates) or Av6-7 (12%). Eight races were identified, with four races at frequencies less than 1%. The study suggested that Rlm6 and Rlm7 are still effective sources of resistance against L. maculans in oilseed rape in Europe. The results are comparable to those of a similar survey done in France in autumn 2000 and 2001.