Inheritance of resistance to Phytophthora fragariae Hickman in strawberry

Summary It has been found that complete resistance of the strawberry cultivars and selections Earliglow, Guardian, MdUS 2700, MdUS 2929, MdUS 3816 and Redchief to Phytophthora fragariae is inherited in a one-to-one ratio, suggesting that these genotypes have one major resistance gene effective to the races present in the test field.The high level of partial resistance of Cambridge Favourite has clearly been recovered in its progenies. However, from results presented here, no conclusions could be drawn with regard to the number of genes involved in the partial resistance of Cambridge Favourite. It is, however, suggestive that about half the susceptible selections derived from crosses with Cambridge Favourite have shown a relatively high level of partial resistance. The selections concerned were obtained by selection on horticultural characters in seedling populations planted on an uninfested field.     

Genetic variation for resistance to Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi in red raspberries

Summary The inheritance of root rot resistance in red raspberry, caused by Phytophtora fragariae var. rubi, was investigated using two experimental breeding designs. Design A was not randomly mated and genetic parameters could not be calculated. Design B was therefore randomly mated to make it possible to do such estimations. Considerable genetic variation was associated with the recorded traits on seedlings tested in a glasshouse. Disease index and % survival were both found to be highly heritable with broad sense heritabilities (H²) close to 0.9 in each design. Estimates of narrow sense heritability (h²), indicated that progress towards resistance would be moderate. In the first design the cultivars Festival, Asker, Boyne and Sentry and the clones N85-02-13 and N85-06-140 had high general combining abilities. Some crosses had a high specific combining ability indicating the presence of non-additive genetic variation.     

Identification of pathogenic races ofPhytophthora fragariae Hickman in Germany

Summary The fungusPhytophthora fragariae Hickman is the causal agent of red stele disease in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), this being a major disease in many areas with cool and moist conditions. Success of resistance breeding can be nullified by the appearence of specific races of the fungus capable of overcoming the introduced resistance. In some countries (USA, UK, Japan and Canada) races were identified by using a differential set of strawberry cultivars. The absence of an international standard differential set and the use of different test methods make a comparison of the identified races difficult or even lead to contradictory results for one variety/race combination. The aim of this study was to obtain information about the spectrum of pathogenic races in Germany as a basic contribution to research on resistance breeding against the fungus. The susceptibility of different strawberry cultivars to German isolates ofP. fragariae was evaluated. The inoculation was done by modifying a method described by Milholland et al. (1989). Rootedin vitro plants, four weeks after transferring them to the soil, were used for the investigation. Inoculation was done with a zoospore suspension of defined concentration. Up to now three German isolates, G-1, G-2, and G-3, can be separated by their ability to infect and produce oospores in the roots of the strawberry cultivars ‘Senga Sengana’, either ‘Saladin’, ‘Redgauntlet’ or ‘Climax’ andFragaria chiloensis clone ‘YaquinaB’. These results confirm the existence of pathogenic races ofP. fragariae in Germany and should be taken into consideration for resistance breeding against the fungus.     

A quantitative trait locus influencing tolerance to Phytophthora root rot in the soybean cultivar ‘Conrad’

‘Conrad’, a soybean cultivar tolerant to Phytophthora root rot (PRR), and ‘OX760-6-1’, a breeding line with low tolerance to PRR, were crossed. F₂ derived recombinant inbred lines were advanced to F₆ to generate a population through single-seed descent. This population was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing PRR tolerance in ‘Conrad’. A total of 99 simple sequence repeat (SSR), or microsatellite, markers that were polymorphic and clearly segregated in the F₆ mapping population were used for QTL detection. Based on the data of PRR in the field at two planting locations, Woodslee and Weaver, for the years 2000 and 2001, one putative QTL, designated as Qsatt414-596, was detected using MapMaker/QTL. Qsatt414-596 was flanked by two SSR markers from the linkage group MLG J, Satt414 and Satt596. Satt414 and Satt596 were also detected to be significantly (P < 0.005) associated with PRR using the SAS GLM procedure and were estimated to explain 13.7% and 21.5% of the total phenotypic variance, respectively.     

Breeding transgressive lines of pepper for resistance to Phytophthora capsici in a recurrent selection system

Summary In order to increase the resistance level of pepper (Capsicum annuum) to Phytophthora capsici the main sources of genetic resistance were intercrossed. The parents included 7 varieties from different origins of partial resistance to P. capsici and to other soilborne pathogens. Two cycles of recurrent selection were performed by 7 plant breeders who screened the plants at two developmental stages with various isolates and at two temperatures. Analysis of data revealed a strong influence of the testing conditions on the evaluation of the plants. The level of resistance of the progenies further depended on the pathogen isolate used to screen the plants. Improvement of the whole population was more significant during the first cycle and lines with enhanced level of resistance as compared to the parents i.e. transgressive lines were fixed from the two cycles. These lines were resistant to much higher inoculum concentrations than the original parents and the expression of resistance was stable at high temperature (32°C). These new sources of polygenic resistance were included into a new breeding program to improve the agronomic characters.     

In vitro screening of strawberry plants for cold resistance

Formation of embryo autonomy of strawberry, plant regeneration fro membryo components, plant freezing conditions in vitro and the possibility to differentiate objectively genotypes by freezing them in vitro and in vivo were studied to create strawberry screening technology in vitro for cold resistance. It was established that autonomy of strawberry embryos manifests itself not earlier than on 14–16^th day after pollination and full autonomy is reached on 20–22^nd day. Plants regenerated from 26 days old embryos grew most intensively. At the highest rate strawberry plants regenerated from an isolated embryo axis on MS medium without phytohormones, and from rescued cotyledons x on the medium with 1.0 BA and 0.5 NAA. The temperature interval, at which genotypes differentiated according to cold resistance in vitro, was -8 to 12 ^°C. Differentiation of strawberry genotypes according to this character conformed to their differentiation in vivo, provided hardening proceeded not less than 21 days. The correlation between cold resistance in vitro and in vivo reached 0.93. Domination of cold resistance manifested itself in strawberry seedlings from various crossing combinations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The use of synthetic octoploids in strawberry breeding

Summary A number of methods of producing synthetic octoploids from Fragaria species of lower levels of ploidy are described. Six synthetic octoploids were produced from various combinations involving one hexaploid species, two tetraploid species and four diploid species. Three of the synthetic octoploids are male fertile and were used successfully as male parents in crosses with octoploid strawberry cultivars.     

Inheritance of adult-plant resistance to Phytophthora capsici in pepper

Summary Inheritance studies were conducted to determine the genetic basis of adult-plant resistance in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to Phytophthora capsici. F₁, backcrosses and F₂ populations were developed using the resistant parent Criollo de Morellos 334 and susceptible parents Agronômico 10-G and Yolo Wonder. Pepper plants, at 36 days post-emergence, were inoculated near the base of the stem with an inoculum suspension of 5×10⁴ zoospores/ml. Segregation ratios in the F₂ generation of 13 resistant to 3 susceptible plants fit a 2-gene model for resistance with dominant and recessive epistasis.     

Resistance to a single UK isolate ofColletotrichum acutatum in strawberry germplasm from Northern Europe

Summary Colletotrichum acutatum on strawberry was first introduced to the UK on runners of cultivar Brighton, which were imported from California in 1983. Recently further outbreaks have been reported following the importation of infected runner plants from mainland Europe. Phytosanitary precautions have so far been successful in controlling the disease but the current trend in the UK is for increasing late season production. This increases the likelihood of there being fruiting plants when the environmental conditions are favourable toC. acutatum. Fifteen cultivars and 19 HRI breeding lines were tested for susceptibility toC. acutatum using the most pathogenic isolate found on plants imported into the UK. It is likely this isolate was originally of Californian origin. Potted plants were spray inoculated and subsequently rated in the glasshouse using a disease severity rating (DSR) with the range from 0–4, where a rating of 4 indicated severe disease symptoms. In contrast to results from California and Italy standard deviations were variable and often large and consequently it was considered unsafe to classify the susceptibility of the genotypes on the basis of mean DSR alone. Classification was thus based on a combination of the mean value and the distribution of the scores but in some cases the results were inconclusive. It was possible to classify five lines as having a high level of resistance (Elvira, Honeoye, EM99, EM224, EM255); six lines had a useful level of resistance but did show symptoms on some plants (Cambridge Favourite, Gorella, Pandora, Pantagruella, EM17 and EM290); five lines were highly susceptible (Elsanta, Redgauntlet, Tamella, EM237 and EM319). The remaining 18 lines could not be classified with the same degree of certainty but 10 were probably resistant.     

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.     

Inheritance of resistance to black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris) in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis)

Summary Black rot disease caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is a limiting factor in the commercial production of the cauliflower crop. Crosses were attempted between SN 445, a mid season cultivar resistant to black rot and two highly susceptible commercial cultivars (Pusa Snowball-1 and K-1). Studies of the F₁'s, F₂'s and back crosses indicated that SN 445, carries a dominant gene imparting resistance to black rot.     

Inheritance of resistance to fruit rot (Phytophthora parasiticaDast.) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Summary Fruit rot disease caused by Phytophthora parasiticaDast. is a limiting factor in tomato production in Himachal Pradesh. 30 to 60 per cent fruits are damaged by this disease. Crosses were made between EC 54725 (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium), a small tyuited type, resistant to fruit rot and four highly susceptible tomato commercial cultivars (Gola, Sioux, S12, and Lalmani). Studies of F₁'s, F₂'s and back crosses indicated that EC 54725 carries a dominant gene imparting resistance to fruit rot.     

A greenhouse screening method forPyrenochaeta lycopersici resistance in tomatoes

Summary A greenhouse screening method for corky root (Pyrenochaeta lycopersici) resistance in the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is described in detail. In determining the reliability of the method, known resistance sources within wild asccessions, commerical cultivars and breeding lines were evaluated for resistance in fields naturally infested with corky root and their response compared under greenhouse conditions in soil heavily infested with corky root and artifically maintained at temperatures between 10–13°C. The procedure developed can be used year round and improves the efficiency of recovering resistant progeny in large segregrating populations.     

The effectiveness of evaluating wild species: searching for sources of resistance to bruchid beetles in the genus Vigna subgenus Ceratotropis

A species level germplasm collection representing 76% of known taxa in the genus Vigna subgenus Ceratotropis was evaluated for resistance to two species of bruchid beetles, Callosobruchus chinensis and C. maculatus. Seven taxa consisting of 29 accessions were found to be resistant to C. chinensis and 4 taxa consisting of 24 accessions were found to be resistant to C. maculatus. This compared with no resistant accessions being found in several hundred landrace accessions of mungbean, V. radiata var. radiata, in the same subgenus. Sometimes resistance was found in all accessions of a particular taxon, such as complete resistance to both C. chinensis and C. macualtus in V. umbellata. Other taxa showed intra taxon variation for resistance such as V. reflexo-pilosa andV. minima. The levels and patterns of resistance among taxa were diverse. The results suggest that various factors cause resistance to bruchid in the subgenus Ceratotropis. While the number of eggs laid on seeds generally reflected seed size, one small seeded cultivar of V. mungo var. mungo, black gram, had an unusually high number of eggs laid per seed. No correlation was found between seed size and levels of resistance. The species level germplasm collection, which reflects the core collection concept in trying to maximize genetic diversity in a limited number of accessions, has enabled a large number of potentially useful sources of resistance to bruchid beetles to be found efficiently. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pathogenic diversity of Phytophthora sojae and breeding strategies to develop Phytophthora-resistant soybeans

Phytophthora stem and root rot, caused by Phytophthora sojae, is one of the most destructive diseases of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and the incidence of this disease has been increasing in several soybean-producing areas around the world. This presents serious limitations for soybean production, with yield losses from 4 to 100%. The most effective method to reduce damage would be to grow Phytophthora-resistant soybean cultivars, and two types of host resistance have been described. Race-specific resistance conditioned by single dominant Rps (“resistance to Phytophthora sojae”) genes and quantitatively inherited partial resistance conferred by multiple genes could both provide protection from the pathogen. Molecular markers linked to Rps genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying partial resistance have been identified on several molecular linkage groups corresponding to chromosomes. These markers can be used to screen for Phytophthora-resistant plants rapidly and efficiently, and to combine multiple resistance genes in the same background. This paper reviews what is currently known about pathogenic races of P. sojae in the USA and Japan, selection of sources of Rps genes or minor genes providing partial resistance, and the current state and future scope of breeding Phytophthora-resistant soybean cultivars.     

Inheritance of resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in potato

Under epiphytotic conditions for late blight in spring seasons, data were recorded on its intensity four times at 4 days intervals from the start of the disease in the field, in 114 (19 females × 6 males) progenies and their parents planted in randomized complete block design in the years 2005 and 2006. Regression and stepwise regression analysis showed that observations during the rapidly increasing phase of disease between initial and last phase of disease are more important than the observations at initial and last phase of the disease. Combining ability analysis on a sub-set of 68 progenies showed that the additive component of genetic variance was more important than the non-additive component of variance in inheritance of quantitative resistance to late blight. The per se performance of the parents does give an idea about their general combining ability (GCA). However, selection of parents based on their GCA will be very useful for breeding for quantitative resistance to late blight. Parents JX 90, JF 4841, CP 3356, CP 1358, CP 3290, JN 1197 and CP 3125 were found to have good GCA for quantitative resistance for late blight and the best six crosses for late bilght resistance based on mean performance involved parents with good combining ability only.     

Gene action in the resistance of peppers (Capsicum annuum) to Phytophthora stem blight (Phytophthora capsici L.)

Summary The variation among single and three-way crosses derived from seven lines of pepper (Capsicum annuum) selected for resistance to Phytophthora capsici was analyzed into statistical-genetic components due to general and specific combining abilities and additive-by-additive epistasis. Indirect evidence of higher order epistasis was also estimated. Epistasis was a principal source of variation. It was correlated with the level of aggressiveness of the pathogen. A breeding method such as recurrent selection seems to be the most appropriate to improve resistance to the fungus.     

Resistance and partial resistance to Phytophthora sojae in early maturity group soybean plant introductions

Phytophthora sojae, an important yield limiting pathogen of soybean, causes seed, seedling, root, and stem rots. Losses caused by P. sojae can be controlled by both major gene and partial resistance. Early maturity group (MG) soybeans are an increasingly important crop in northwestern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. Early MG plant introductions (PIs) from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection and early MG public and private cultivars were evaluated for resistance and partial resistance to P. sojae. Of the 113 PIs, PI438445, and PI438454 exhibited resistance to P. sojae races 4, 7, 17, and 28 indicating they may possess either Rps1c, Rps1k, previously unidentified or multiple resistance gene to Phytophthora sojae (Rps) genes. Because they exhibited partial resistance equal to or greater than the standard check cultivar Conrad, three early MG soybean cultivars (MN0902, MN0302, and 91B53) were selected as standard checks to evaluate early MG PIs for partial resistance. Sixty-nine PIs were evaluated for partial resistance to P. sojae races 7 and 25 using the inoculum layer method. Of this group of PIs, 22 had the same level of partial resistance as Conrad to P. sojae race 7 while 19 had the same degree of partial resistance to race 25. Twelve PIs had same level of partial resistance as Conrad to both P. sojae races 7 and 25. The PIs and cultivars identified in this study will be of great value in developing early MG soybean cultivars suitable for planting in Canada and the northern United States.     

Validity of a leaf inoculation test to assess the resistance to Phytophthora megakarya in a cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) diallel mating design

Cocoa pod rot, caused by different Phytophthora species, is rife in all production zones. Phytophthora spp. control is therefore a major challenge for world cocoa cultivation, and selection of resistant material is a priority research theme for many producing countries. Various genetic trials have been set up over many years in zones affected by the disease. In Cameroon, a 6x6 diallel mating design was set up to study heritability of the resistance trait. Field observations led to the classification of parents according to their ability to transmit resistance to their progenies. These field measurements were long and laborious, so a resistance test based on artificial leaf inoculations was developed. This article studies the correspondence between results obtained with the test and observations of rot rates in the field. There was a significant genetic correlation between pod rot rate in the field and leaf test data, so using this resistance test could shorten cocoa tree selection cycles. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.