Optimization of an Inoculation Method for Cotton Alternaria Leaf Spot

[Objective] Cotton Alternaria leaf spot disease causes serious damage during cotton production. The aim of this study was the optimization of an inoculation method for cotton Alternaria leaf spot. [Method] An Alternaria alternata spore suspension was used as the inoculum. Three inoculation methods were tested and compared: smearing with spores plus retaining moisture using a sealed plastic bag; smearing with spores plus retaining moisture by intermittently spraying with water; and spraying spores plus retaining moisture by intermittently spraying with water. [Result] Inoculated cotton leaves were most readily infected by smearing with spores plus intermittently spraying with water. This inoculation method was effective for distinguishing resistant cotton cultivars from susceptible ones, but often caused nonuniform disease lesions on cotton leaves; thus, the incidence of diseased leaves was random and somewhat nonuniform. Spraying spores plus retaining moisture by intermittently spraying with water led to a relatively longer disease pathogenesis and slower disease progression; however, the incidence of diseased leaves was relatively consistent and uniform, thus providing repeatable inoculation experimental conditions compared with the other two inoculation methods. [Conclusion] Spraying spores plus retaining moisture by intermittently spraying with water is a suitable inoculation method for studying cotton resistance to Alternaria leaf spot.