Epistasis and heritability of resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora nicotianae</Emphasis> in pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> L.)

Gene effects of resistance to two isolates of Phytophthora nicotianae in two crosses of pepper were investigated using separate generation means analysis. Additive-dominance models were inadequate in all cases. Digenic parameter models were adequate in three cases and the probability of goodness of fit of models was negatively correlated with the aggressiveness of the pathogen. None of these models explained variation among generation means in the combined cross Beldi × CM334 with P. nicotianae isolate Pn_2. Additive × additive, dominance × dominance and dominance × additive effects were significant in most cases. Additive and dominance effects (of negative sign) contribute more to resistance than to susceptibility. Additive variance was greater than environmental and dominance variance and ranged from 0.038 to 0.224. Narrow-sense heritabilities were dependent upon the cross and inoculate and ranged from 86 to 92%. The results of this study indicate that selection with more aggressive isolates of the pathogen will be useful for enhancing resistance in pepper.     

Genetic analysis of yield and quantitative traits in pigeonpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cajanus cajan</Emphasis> L. Millsp.)

Basic information on genetics and inheritance of quantitative characters, which is necessary to develop future breeding programme, is not widely studied in pigeonpea. Hence, present study was conducted among 5 generations in four pigeonpea crosses to know significance of additive-dominance model, gene action involved in inheritance of quantitative characters, heritability and genetic advance. “Scaling” and “joint scaling test” was significant for most characters indicating that additive-dominance model alone is not enough to explain the inheritance of a character. Though additive variance was more, dominance variance also played important role for most of the traits. Positive and negative alleles were found to be distributed between parents. Additive gene effect (d) was significant for pods per plant and seeds per pod whereas dominance gene effect (h) was more predominant among pod yield and seed yield. Dominance × Dominance inter-allelic interactions (l) was more important than Additive × Additive type (i) for most of the traits studied which could be exploited by selecting individuals based on their performance in recurrent selection. Complementary gene action was observed among many traits with few exhibiting duplicate gene action. Heritability and genetic advance was high indicating the effectiveness of selection. Since dominance effects is also present along with additive effects selection could be practised in later generations to identify high yielding genotypes.     

Genetic effects and heterosis of within-boll yield components in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Within-boll yield components are the most basic contributors to lint and seed yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), which is a major source of natural fiber and edible oil throughout the world. Little information is available on genetic effects and heterosis of these traits in cotton. Three cotton cultivars and six breeding lines differing in within-boll yield components were used for this study. Parents and their F₁ progeny with reciprocals from a 3×6 factorial mating design were grown at Jiangxi Agricultural University experimental farm in 2008 and 2009. Seven within-boll yield components and two boll bur characters were analyzed under an additive-dominance genetic model with genotype and environment interaction. Additive effects were significant for all traits and dominance effects were significant for all traits except seed mass per seed. Genetic variances for lint mass per seed, SM/S and boll bur weight were primarily additive variances ranging from 39.6 to 58.9 %. Lint mass per boll and seed number per boll variances were primarily due to dominance genetic effects ranging from 36.4 to 48.8 %. Dominance and additive effects were equally important for boll weight, seed mass per boll and boll bur percentage. Additive and additive × environment effects were more important than other effects for lint percentage. A802-1 had the best mean performance and additive effects increasing BW, SM/B, S/B and SM/S, but reduced LP and LM/S. A9-1 and Lu40534 had additive effects associated with increasing LP. The two crosses A9-1×Lu40534 and Tezsh×33B were detected with favorable heterozygous dominant effects and heterosis over best parent for BW, LP, LM/B, SM/B and S/B. Favorable genotypic and phenotypic correlations were identified between within-boll lint yield components (LM/B, LM/S) and within-boll seed yield components (SM/B, S/B, SM/S). These results indicate that simultaneous genetic improvement of multiple within-boll yield components can be expected in breeding populations derived from these cotton cultivars and breeding lines.     

Observed and Predicted Genetic Gains from Single and Multi-Trait Selections Using Three Mating Designs in Pearl Millet*

The objectives of the study were to estimate the genetic components of variance, predict the response to selection and to evaluate observed response to selection using two populations namely, PSB 7 and PSB 3, of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum [L.] Leeks). The observed response was studied using four methods of selection based on single and multitrait criteria in three types of families, namely S1, half-sib (HS) and full-sib (FS) families. One hundred SI, HS and FS families each were developed in PSB 7 and PSB 3. Plants within a population were pollinated with bulk pollen of other population to develop HS families. Crosses were made between a pair of plants using one plant from each of the two populations to develop PS families. Data were recorded on days to flower, plant height, tiller number, spike length, spike girth, seed yield per plant and spike weight. Additive genetic variance estimates were significant for all traits. The estimates of dominance and additive × location and dominance × location interaction components were not significant, except additive × location component in PSB 7 for seed yield and spike weight. The genotypic component of variance among S1 families and S1 × location interactions were significant except S1 × location interactions in PSB 7 for days to flower, spike length and spike girth. Twenty-four strains were developed by intermating superior families identified on the basis of four selection methods in each of the six types of families. The selection methods were high seed yield (YS) per se; index selection (IS) for high tiller number and long and thick spike; truncation selection (TS) for high yield among the families having days to flower and plant height lower than the population mean: and visual selection (VS) after completion of flowering for good vigour, uniformity in plant height and good inflorescence attributes. YS and IS were found to be superior to TS and VS with respect to observed genetic gains for seed yield. That advance was higher in selection among SI families as compared with FS and HS families. In general, a good agreement was noted between observed and expected responses. Expected genetic gain from FS reciprocal (R) recurrent selection was higher than the average gain from HS-R selection.     

Genetic analysis of quantitative traits across environments in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Summary Fourteen lines of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) were evaluated for general and specific combining ability through line × tester cross analysis using five diverse testers in two different environments. Seventy F₁'s and nineteen parental genotypes were raised in completely randomized block design with two replications with respect to yield and yield related traits. Considerable genetic variation was observed for all the traits studied. The additive as well as non-additive gene effects played significant role in the inheritance of yield and related traits with preponderance of non-additive gene effects for all the traits studied. Higher proportion of general combining ability × environment interaction variance as compared to specific combining ability × environment estimates was recorded. Additive genetic variances were more sensitive than non-additive genetic variances to the changing environment. Low estimates of heritability (narrow sense) for primary branches per plant, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule, seed yield per plant, harvest index and oil content and medium heritability for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height and 1000-seed weight was observed. Among the female parents LCK-9816, Parvati, Himalini, KL-168 were good general combiners for yield and related traits along with oil content, whereas among male parents, Surbhi and KL-224 were good general combiners for yield related traits and oil content but KL-221 was good general combiner for seed yield and related traits.     

Genetic effects and genetic relationships among <Emphasis Type="Italic">shrunken</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">sh2</Emphasis>) sweet corn lines and F1 hybrids

The objectives of this study were to quantify the components of genetic variance and the genetic effects, and to examine the genetic relationship of inbred lines extracted from various shrunken2 (sh2) breeding populations. Ten diverse inbred lines developed from sh2 genetic background, were crossed in half diallel. Parents and their F1 hybrids were evaluated at three environments. The parents were genotyped using 20 polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSR). Agronomic and quality traits were analysed by a mixed linear model according to additive-dominance genetic model. Genetic effects were estimated using an adjusted unbiased prediction method. Additive variance was more important than dominance variance in the expression of traits related to ear aspects (husk ratio and percentage of ear filled) and eating quality (flavour and total soluble solids). For agronomic traits, however, dominance variance was more important than additive variance. The additive genetic correlation between flavour and tenderness was strong (r = 0.84, P < 0.01). Flavour, tenderness and kernel colour additive genetic effects were not correlated with yield related traits. Genetic distance (GD), estimated from SSR profiles on the basis of Jaccard’s similarity coefficient varied from 0.10 to 0.77 with an average of 0.56. Cluster analysis classified parents according to their pedigree relationships. In most studied traits, F1 performance was not associated with GD.     

The inheritance of quantitative traits in Brassica napus ssp. rapifera (swedes): Augmented triple test cross analyses of production characters

Two F₂ triple test crosses, augmented with F₃s, produced from crosses between different inbred lines of swedes (Brassica napus ssp.rapifera L.) were assessed in field trials at Dundee in 1988 and 1989,respectively. This paper reports the analyses of resistance to powdery mildew, neck length, growth cracks, sugar content and hardness; analyses of yield have been published previously. Additive genetical variation was found for all traits while non-additive variation was less important, the highest degree of dominance being 0.44 for hardness. There was evidence of additive × dominance and dominance × dominance epistasis for mildew and additive × additive epistasis for neck length and hardness. Significant,consistent reciprocal differences were found and these were particularly large for neck length and growth cracks. Sugar determination was carried out on the basic generations of the second cross, the parental lines of which showed large differences in concentration of glucose, fructose and sucrose. Directional dominance was found for high glucose but not for fructose or sucrose. The implications of these results for swede breeding are discussed and it is proposed that inbred cultivars would be a more practical option than F₁ hybrids. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Generation Mean Analysis of Inheritance of Resistance to Pyrenophora teres in Barley

F1, F2, Fl × parentl (BC1), and Fl × parent2 (BC2) generations resulting from four crosses among seven cultivars of barley used in national and international breeding programmes were tested at the seedling stage for their resistance to a mixture of five isolates of Pyrenophora teres. Four methods were used to assess disease resistance: infection type (IT), average lesion size (ALS), number of lesions per unit leaf area (NL) and percent leaf area infected (PLAI). Gene actions were estimated by generation mean analysis on each of the four crosses and on each of the evaluation methods. Significant additive and additive × additive epistatic effects were found. Infection type and percent leaf area infected were found to be highly correlated in all four crosses. These results suggest that barley breeders could improve the level of resistance to P. teres by making appropriate crosses between highly susceptible barley cultivars.     

Genetics of spike length in durum wheat

Gene effects were analyzed using mean spike length of 12 populations, viz., both parents, F₁, F₂, first back cross generation, BC₁ and BC₂, second backcross generations, BC₁₁,BC₁₂, BC₂₁ and BC₂₂ along with BC₁ self and BC₂ self derived by selfing BC₁ and BC₂populations of three crosses involving six diverse cultivars of Triticum durumto determine the nature of gene actions governing spike length through generation mean analysis under normal and late sown environments. The six-parameter model was adequate in most of the cases to explain genetic variation among the generation means under both the sowing environments. Additive (d) gene effect was significant in all the cases, whereas dominance (h) gene effect was not so frequently observed significant. Epistatic effects, particularly digenic types were predominant over additive and dominance effects in most of the cases under both normal and late sown environments except in the cross Cocorit 71 × A-9-30-1 (normal sown).Additive × dominance × dominance (y), trigenic interaction played significant role in controlling the inheritance of this trait in the cross HI 8062 × JNK-4W-128under late sown condition. Duplicate epistasis was observed in the cross HI 8062× JNK-4W-128 (normal sown). Non-fixable gene effects were of higher magnitude than fixable gene effects in almost all cases, confirmed the major role of non-additive gene effects to control the inheritance of spike length in durum wheat. Significant heterosis over better parent was not observed. Similarly, inbreeding depression was not commonly observed. Favourable and suitable environment must be considered before finalizing breeding programme for its simple inheritance to get desirable improvement for high grain yield. Hybridization systems, such as biparental mating and / or diallel selective mating, which exploit both additive and non-additive gene effects, simultaneously, could be useful in the improvement of spike length in durum wheat. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic effects of embryo and endosperm for four malting quality traits of barley

Seed of seven cultivars of two-rowed barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) and F2 seed from a half-diallel set of crosses among the cultivars were malted in two years to obtain data on diastatic power (DP), alpha-amylase activity (αAA), beta- amylase activity (βAA) and malt nitrogen (N) content. Embryo and endosperm genetic effects on the traits were studied by using a genetic model including genotype × environment interaction for malting quality characters. Variation of the four malting quality traits was affected by gentic effects and environmental interaction. Performance of DP and βAA was mainly controlled not only by endosperm dominance effects but also by embryo genotype × environment interaction and endosperm dominance × environment interaction. Variation of αAA and malt N content was controlled by both embryo and endosperm genetic effects, but the embryo dominance and endosperm additive effects contributed a major part to the total genetic effects. Significant interaction variances (embryo additive × environment and dominance × environment and endosperm dominance × environment) were also observed for αAA and malt N content. Diastatic power was related positively to βAA. Malt N content was associated positively with DP, largely because of the relationship between malt N and βAA. No obvious phenotype association between DP and αAA was found. General narrow-sense heritabilities of αAA and malt N content were 26.1% and 27.8%, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Combining ability analysis and association of yield and yield components among selected cowpea lines

The study was carried out to determine combining ability and association of yield and yield components among crosses derived from seven selected cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) parents. Twenty-one hybrids were generated from diallel crosses excluding reciprocals. Hybrids along with seven parents were studied for combining ability and phenotypic correlations for seed yield and eight yield components. The result indicated that the general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) were significant for most characters indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic components. Additive gene action was important for eight characters except pod number, whereas non-additive gene action was not important for nodule number and grain yield. Parental lines IT86D-716 and IT81D-985 were found to be good general combiners for grain yield and other traits. The most promising specific combiners for yield and yield components were from crosses including IT87D-697-2 × IT86D-716, IT88D-867-11 × IT86D-716, IT93K-624 × IT87D-697-2, and IT87D-697-2 × IT92KD-405-1. Significant positive phenotypic correlations were observed between seed yield with pod length (POL), number of pods per plant (PON), and number of seeds per pod (SPD). POL, pod number per plant, SPD, and grain yield were identified as the best selection criteria that could be used in cowpea breeding programs.     

Evaluation of genetic variances, heritabilities, and correlations for yield and fiber traits among cotton F2 hybrid populations

Summary F₂ hybrid cultivars continue to occupy a small portion of the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production are in the United States, but occupy a larger proportion of the production area in some other countries. Sixty-four F₂ hybrids resulting from crosses of four commercial cultivars and 16 pest-resistant germplasm lines were evaluated for five fiber and four yield traits in four environments at Mississippi State, MS. An additive-dominance genetic model was employed for these traits. The minimum norm quadratic unbiased estimation (MINQUE) method was used with a mixed model approach for estimating genetic variance and covariance components and for predicting genetic correlations. This study investigated genetic variances, heritabilities, and genetic and phenotypic correlations between agronomic and fiber traits among these 64 F₂ hybrid populations and discussed the usefulness of these populations for use as hybrids or for selections for pure lines.Dominance variance accounted for the major proportion of the phenotypic variances for lint yield, lint percentage, and boll size indicating that hybrids should have an advantage for these traits compared to pure lines. A low proportion of additive variance for fiber traits and the significant additive x environment variance components indicated a lack of substantial useful additive genetic variability for fiber traits. This suggests that selections for pure lines within these F₂ populations would have limited success in improving fiber traits. Genetic and phenotypic correlation coefficients were of comparable magnitude for most pairs of characters. Fiber strength showed a positive additive genetic correlation with boll weight. Dominance genetic correlations of fiber strength with elongation and 2.5% span length were also significant and positive; however, the additive genetic correlation of length and strength was zero.Contribution of the USDA-ARS in cooperation with the Mississippi Agric. and Forestry Exp. Stn.     

不同环境下杂交粳稻直链淀粉含量的遗传分析

以粳稻三系材料组配的5×5不完全双列杂交亲本及F₂、F₃种子为试材, 应用包括胚乳效应、细胞质效应、母体效应的三倍体种子性状遗传模型, 对不同年份、不同穗位两种环境设计下的直链淀粉含量进行遗传分析。结果表明, 两种环境下, 直链淀粉含量的方差组成均以基因型方差为主。遗传主效应方差以胚乳加性方差为主。以穗位作为环境因子时, 能检测到显著的细胞质方差, 互作方差以直接显性×环境互作方差为主, 其次是细胞质×环境互作方差, 但对互作效应值的遗传预测表明, 绝大部分品种所有粒位均以细胞质×环境的互作效应值最大, 且细胞质×环境互作使不育系强、中势籽粒的直链淀粉含量降低、弱势粒直链淀粉含量提高, 恢复系则相反, 强、中势籽粒直链淀粉含量提高, 弱势粒直链淀粉含量降低。以年份作为环境因子时, 细胞质方差不显著, 互作方差以母体显性×环境互作方差为主。     

Genotype × environment interaction and yield stability in a cowpea-based cropping system

Twenty-four cowpea genotypes were evaluated under sole cropping or additive series intercropping with sorghum from 2004 to 2005 at four sites representative of the Guinea and Sudan savannah ecologies in Ghana. The aim was to determine whether cowpea breeding programs that emphasize selection under sole-crop conditions have the potential to produce cultivars that are effective under additive series intercropping. Genotype × cropping systems interaction was significant for days to 50% flowering but not for grain yield, biomass and other studied traits. Genotypic yield reaction to cropping systems indicated that bridging the yield gap between sole cropping and intercropping systems is best addressed by agronomic interventions that reduce stress on intercrop cowpea rather than by selecting for specifically adapted genotypes for intercropping. Significant genotype × environment interactions were observed for all traits when data was pooled over cropping systems. Partitioning of the genotype × environment interaction variance indicated that days to 50% flowering was dominated by heterogeneity of genotypic variance, whereas genotype × environment interactions for grain yield and biomass was mainly due to imperfect correlations. Large differences in genotypic yield stability were observed as estimated by the among-environment variance, regression of yield on the environmental index, Kataoka’s index, and by partitioning of genotype × environment interaction sum of squares into components attributable to each genotype. The results suggest that in regions where genotype × environment interaction for yield frequently causes re-ranking across environments, genotypes with the least contribution to the interaction sum of squares are likely to be most productive. On the whole, the results support the contention that breeding under sole-crop conditions has the potential to produce cultivars effective under intercropping conditions.     

Resistance to anthracnose and turcicum leaf blight in sorghum under dual infection

A half diallel mating design was used to study the inheritance of anthracnose and turcicum leaf blight (TLB) in six sorghum cultivars. Applying pathogens inoculum separately and applying both pathogens simultaneously differently affected the reaction of each genotype. GA06/18 was resistant to both pathogens. GA06/106 x Epuripuri and MUC007/009 x Epuripuri showed high heterosis for resistance to both diseases indicating that they were good materials for sorghum breeding. Additive and non‐additive (dominance) variance components were almost equally reflected by equal contribution of both variances towards the anthracnose resistance suggesting that both additive and dominance gene effects were involved in anthracnose resistance. Contribution of additive gene effects towards TLB resistance was greater than non‐additive gene effects suggesting that additive gene effects were more important in controlling TLB resistance. This study highlighted that deployment of resistant varieties is the most cost effective way to manage both diseases especially when integrated with appropriate agronomy practices.     

Genetics of resistance to Sesamia inferens infestation and its correlation with yield in maize

Sesamia inferens (Walker) causes 25.7–78.9% losses in maize production in South and South‐East Asia. The genetic basis of host plant resistance is the prerequisite for resistance breeding. Twenty‐four populations derived from S. inferens resistant × susceptible inbreds were used to study the genetic regulation of resistance to S. inferens in maize, to determine the importance of genetic effects through generation mean analysis (GMA) and to understand correlation between resistance and yield. Resistant and susceptible inbreds differed significantly in leaf and stem injury ratings (LSIR), a measure of host plant resistance. Mean LSIR range among resistant and susceptible parents was 2.15–2.55 and 7.83–8.22, respectively. The broad‐sense heritability ranged from 0.40 to 0.71, and the mean number of effective factors ranged from 1.9 to 2.6. The resistance against S. inferens was largely governed by additive × additive (i), followed by dominance (d) and additive (a) gene effects. Significant negative correlation (?0.27 to ?0.96) was observed between LSIR and yield. The findings suggest reciprocal recurrent selection for development of new inbreds with resistance followed by their involvement in hybrid development to exploit additive and non‐additive gene effects/variance.     

Genetic effects and genotype × environment interactions for cooking quality traits in Indica-japonica crosses of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Indica-japonica hybridization is an important approach for developing superior performing hybrids in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In view of the scanty information available on cooking quality characters in indica-japonica crosses, an investigation was undertaken to estimate genetic and genotype × environment variance and covariance components of amylose content, gel consistency and alkali digestion value, and to determine the relative importance of direct genetic effects, maternal genetic effects and cytoplasmic effects in the genetic variations of the three quality characters. Two indica photo-sensitive genic male sterile (PGMS) lines and four japonica varieties were used as parents to make crosses. Genetic model with genotype × environment interactions for triploid endosperm was used for genetic studies of the three cooking quality characters. Variance component analysis revealed that genetic variations of the three characters were mainly attributable to direct additive and maternal additive effects, and the three traits had significant direct and maternal heritabilities. Genotype × environment interactions were mainly dominance × environment (including direct dominance × environment and maternal dominance × environment) and cytoplasm × environment interactions. Environment factors could only affect the expression extent of dominant genes, without changing their directions. Predicted values of genetic effects indicated that the parental lines, ‘VI-70’ and ‘H9304-1’, appeared to be best for amylose content, ‘T 1950’ and ‘Suxuan’ appeared to be best for gel consistency and alkali digestion value. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for in vitro traits in wheat immature embryo cultures involving high X low regeneration capacity genotypes

Summary Estimates of gene actions were obtained for five in vitro traits of immature wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) embryo cultures from a cross of two wheat cultivars and the resulting reciprocal, F₁, F₂ and backcross populations. The contribution of additive gene effects to in vitro traits was not as important as the dominance gene effects. Epistatic gene effects were relatively more important than either additive or dominance gene effects. Of the individual types of digenic epistatic effects, the dominance x dominance estimates were relatively larger in magnitude for all in vitro culture traits measured. The maternal effect played a minor role in the inheritance of the in vitro studied traits since the difference among the reciprocal values was not significant. It is shown from the generation mean method that epistasis played a major role in the inheritance of most of the traits under study. The negative values of additive and dominance genetic variance were estimates of zero. Heritability estimates, in broad sense, were relatively high for the in vitro studied traits. In some cases, heritability estimates in broad and narrow senses are almost equal since the estimation of dominance genetic variance led to negative values. According to the results of the gene effects, dominance and epistasis were important for the shoot formation trait. Selection would be effective among the isolated genotypes on individual basis.     

Prediction of breeding values for average fruit weight in mango using a multivariate individual mixed model

Mango is an important horticultural fruit crop and breeding is a key strategy to improve ongoing sustainability. Knowledge of breeding values of potential parents is important for maximising progress from breeding. This study successfully employed a mixed linear model methods incorporating a pedigree to predict breeding values for average fruit weight from highly unbalanced data for genotypes planted over three field trials and assessed over several harvest seasons. Average fruit weight was found to be under strong additive genetic control. There was high correlation between hybrids propagated as seedlings and hybrids propagated as scions grafted onto rootstocks. Estimates of additive genetic correlation among trials ranged from 0.69 to 0.88 with correlations among harvest seasons within trials greater than 0.96. These results suggest that progress from selection for broad adaptation can be achieved, particularly as no repeatable environmental factor that could be used to predict G × E could be identified. Predicted breeding values for 35 known cultivars are presented for use in ongoing breeding programs.     

Sclerotinia resistance in sunflower: I. Genotypic variations of hybrids in three environments of Argentina

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infections on sunflower capitula produce white rot, one of the most dangerous diseases sunflower bears in all humid areas. Therefore, disease quantification on developed genetic materials is a very important action in sunflower breeding. Given the horizontal type of resistance these evaluations should be made in different environments. Several hybrids obtained after crossing seven female × seven male sunflower inbred lines in a factorial mating design were evaluated for resistance to white rot in two locations in the southeast of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Disease incidence and the symptom appearance index indicated significant genotypic effects and genotype × environment (G × E) interactions. Genotypic effects were a greater source of variance than the G × E interaction effects. The G × E interactions only represented changes in magnitude. These results were used to identify the best genotypes for both resistance factors. Four hybrids showed low disease incidence values under both artificial and natural infections, of which only two had high values of the symptom appearance index at both locations. These hybrids are considered to have adequate resistance attributes for the ascosporic penetration and the mycelium extension in the capitulum tissue and could therefore be sown in the province of Buenos Aires without increasing risks of S. sclerotiorum attacks.