Influence of light intensity on growth of triazine-resistant rapeseed (Brassica napus)

Growth and biomass allocation of nearly isonuclear lines of triazine-resistant and susceptible rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) were compared. Resistant and susceptible lines produced by reciprocal crossing were grown in a greenhouse and in growth chambers under high and low photon flux densities (PFD). Thirty to forty per cent greater average dry weight accumulation was observed in susceptible lines grown under high PFD. Higher leaf area ratio, lower root-shoot ratio and lower specific leaf weight were observed in resistant lines grown in high PFD. These morphological modifications are consistent with a mechanism of compensation of lower photosynthetic performance. Little difference in dry weight and biomass allocation was seen in resistant and susceptible plants grown under low PFD. The similarity in growth response observed in susceptible and resistant plants grown under low PFD indicates the inefficient photochemistry in resistant plants does not necessarily result in lower productivity. Influence de l'intensite lumineuse sur la croissance de colza (Brassica napus L.) resistant aux triazines La croissance et la répartition de la biomasse de 2 lignées isonucléaires voisines de colza résistant et sensible aux triazines ont été comparées. Des lignées sensibles et résistantes produites par fertilisation croisée ont été cultivées dans une serre et en chambres climatiques sous des densités de flux de photon (PFD) hautes et faibles. Trente à quarante pour cent de plus dans 1'accumulation de la matière sèche ont été observées chez les lignées sensibles cultivées sous hauts PFD. Un ratio plus important de la surface foliaire, un ratio plus bas racine/tige et un poids spécifique foliaire plus faible ont été observées chez les lignées résistantes cultivées sous hauts PFD. Ces modifications morphologiques sont liées avec un mécanisme de compensation du rendement photosynthétique plus faible. Une faible différence dans le poids sec, et la répartition de la biomasse a été observed entre les plantes sensibles et résistantes cultivées sous faibles PFD. La similitude de la croissance observée chez les plantes sensibles cultivées sous faibles PFD montre que la déficience photochimique chez les plantes résistantes ne résulte pas nécessairement en une productivité plus faible. Einfluß der Lichtintensität auf das Wachstum von Triazin-resistentem Raps (Brassica napus L.) Das Wachstum und die Biomassebildung von fast reinen Linien von Triazin-resistentem und von -empfindlichem Raps wurden vergleichen. Durch Kreuzbefruchtung wurden resistente und empfindliche Linien gewonnen, die im Gewächshaus und Phytotron unter hoher und niedriger Lichtintensität gezogen wurden. 30–40% höhere mittlere Trockenmasse wurden bei hoher Lichtintensität bei den empfindlichen Linien festgestellt. Ein höherer Blattflächenindex, ein kleineres Wurzel/Sproß-Verhältnis und ein geringeres spezifisches Blattgewicht wurden bei hoher Lichtintensitaät bei den resistenten Linien gefunden. Diese morpholo-gischen Veränderungen stimmen mit einem Mechanismus zur Kompensation geringerer Photosynthese überein. Bei niedriger Lichtintensität gab es nur kleine Unterschiede in der Trockenmasse- und Biomassebildung zwischen den resistenten und den empfindlichen Pflanzen, worin sich zeigt, daß der ineffiziente Photochemismus der resistenten Pflanzen nicht notwendigerweise zu einer geringeren Produktivität führen muß.     

糜子叶片衰老与活性氧代谢研究

以榆糜3号为试验材料,研究糜子叶片衰老与活性氧代谢特性。结果表明,随着植株衰老,不同叶位超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶等保护性酶活性呈由高到低的变化趋势,旗叶活性氧保护酶含量高且下降缓慢,丙二醛含量低且增长缓慢,在籽粒灌浆中后期表现更为明显。研究认为,在旱作农业生产中,延缓叶片衰老,对促进糜子籽粒充实,提高糜子产量和品质具有重要作用。     

Electrophoretic variation in triazine-resistant and-susceptible populations of the allogamous weed Brassica rapa

Levels of genetic variation, as estimated from electrophoretic data, were investigated in three triazine-resistant (R) and seven susceptible (S) populations of the allogamous weed Brassica rapa ssp. sylvestris (L.) Jan, from Ouebec, Canada. No significant differences were detected between R and S populations in the percentage of polymorphic loci (37–39.2%), but allelic diversity (mean number of alleles per locus) and observed and expected levels of heterozygosity were significantly (P<0.10) lower in the R populations than in the S populations. Overall low levels of population differentiation were evident among populations. Nei's genetic distances between population pairs ranged from 0.003 to 0.054, with an overall species mean of 0.019, with slightly greater divergence among the three R populations. Most of the total gene diversity was found within populations for both S and R populations. A mean of 3.7% of the variation occurred among S populations, with a higher value of 12.1% distributed among the R populations. A comparison of observed levels of heterozygosity with expected levels under random mating, provided evidence for significant departures from random mating, as lower mean values than expected were observed for both the R populations (0.133 vs. 0.153) and S populations (0.159 and 0.184), suggesting that a low level of selfing may be occurring in these populations. The distribution of genetic variation among and within populations of B. rapa was consistent with predicted pattems for predominantly allogamous species. The reduced levels of genetic variation observed for the three R populations were not as striking as that previously reported for triazine-resistant auto-gamous species. Variation électrophorètique chez les populations risistantes et sensibles aux triazines de l'adventice allogame Brassica rapa Les niveaux de variation génétique, estimés a partir de données venant de l'électrophorèse ont étéétudiés chez 3 populations résistantes aux triazines (R) et 7 sensibles (S) de l'adventice allogame Brassica rapa ssp sylvestris (L.) Jan, du Quebec, Canada, Aucune différence significative n'a été trouvée entre les populations R et S dans le pourcentage des loci polymorphes, mais la diversité allélique (nombre moyen d'allèles par locus) et les taux d'heterozygosité attendus et observés étaient significativement (P<0,10) moins élevés chez les populations R que chez les S. En général de faibles niveaux de différenciation de populations apparaissaient dans les populations. Les distances génétiques entre 2 populations allaient de 0,003 à 0,054, avec une moyenne générale de l'espfèce de 0,019 avec une légèrement plus élevée divergence dans les 3 populations R. La majorité de la diversité génetique était trouvée a l'intérieur des populations tant S que R. Une moyenne de 3,7% de variation est apparue dans les populations S, avec une valeur plus élevée de 12,1% dans les populations R. Une comparaison des niveaux d'heterozygosité observés avec ceux attendus avec croisement au hasard, a montré une différence significative, avec des valeurs moyennes observées, plus basses que celles attendues à la fois pour les populations R (0,133 contre 0,153) et pour les S (0,159 et 0,184), donnant à penser qu'un faible taux d'autofécondation peut survenir dans ces populations. La distribution de la variation génétique dans les populations de B. rapaétait conforme au schéma prévisible pour une espèce majoritairement allogame. Les niveaux réduits de variation génétique observés pour les 3 populatioiis résistantes n'étaient pas aussi marquant que ce qui avait été précédemment décrit pour des espèces résistantes aux triazines autogames. Elektrophoretische Untersuchung der genetischen Unterschiede Triazin-resistenter und-empfindlicher Populationen von Brassica rapa Bei der Untersuchung der genetischen Unterschiede 3 Triazin-resistenter (R) und 7 -empfindlicher (S) Populationen des allogamen Unkrauts Brassica rapa ssp. sylvestris (L.) Jan. aus Quebec, Kanada, war aufgrund elektropho-retischer Daten der Prozentsatz polymorpher Loci bei R- und S-Populationen nicht signifikant verschieden (37…39,2%), aber die Allel-diversität (mittlere Anzahl Allele pro Locus) und der beobachtete und erwartete Grad der Heterozygotie waren bei den R-Populationen signifikant geringer (P<0,10) als bei den S-Populationen. Die Populationen waren offen-sichtlich allgemein wenig differenziert. Die genetische Distanz zwischen Populationen-paaren reichte von 0,003 bis 0,054 mit einem Artmittel von 0,019 und bei etwas größerer Divergenz der 3 R-Populationen. Bei den S-Populationen lag das Variationsmittel bei 3,7%, höher bei den R-Populationen mit 12,1%. Beim Vergleich der beobachteten Heterozygotie mit der erwarteten ergeben sich signifikante Abweichungen von der zufäligen Paarung, indem sowohl fur die R- als auch für die S-Populationen geringere Werte gefunden wurden (0,133 gegen 0,153 bzw. 0,159 und 0,184), ein Hinweis auf eine geringe Selbstbe-fruchtung. Die genetischen Unterschiede zwischen und in den Brassica-rapa-Populationen entsprach dem Muster vorwiegend allogamer Arten. Die geringeren genetischen Unterschiede der 3 R-Populationen waren nicht so überraschend wie die früher berichtenen von Triazin-resistenten autogamen Arten.     

Interference of Sinapis arvensis L. and Chenopodium album L. in spring rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Interference of Sinapis arvensis L. (wild mustard) and Chenopodium album L. (lamb's-quarters) in spring rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) was studied under field conditions in 1983 and 1984. Both weed species interfered with rapeseed early in the growing season, causing significant reductions in rapeseed dry weight by June of each year. Sinapis arvensis caused greater rapeseed grain yield reductions than did C. album. With weed densities of 20–80 plants m^?2, rapeseed grain yield reductions ranged from 19 to 77% with S. arvensis but only 20 to 25% with C. album. Rapeseed yield reductions caused by mixtures of both weed species ranged from being less than to being equal to the sum of reductions caused by each weed alone, depending on the weed density and year of study. Both weed species were prolific seed producers capable of returning large quantities of seed to the soil. With weed densities ranging from 10–80 plants m^?2, S. arvensis produced 5700–30 100 seeds m^?2 while C. album produced 3100–63 600 seeds m^?2.     

模拟干旱胁迫下甘蓝型油菜幼苗生长与早期活力的关系研究

以6个早期活力不同的油菜品种为试验材料,通过不同浓度的PEG-6000渗透溶液模拟干旱胁迫处理,研究了油菜幼苗在胁迫条件下的根长、苗高和根冠比等性状,并与大田环境条件下的苗期长势情况进行对比分析。结果表明,在不同浓度的PEG-6000渗透溶液的胁迫条件下,各个品种的表现不同,呈现显著性差异,EV1、EV2和EV3的根长、苗高和根冠比都较大,而EV5和EV6的表现较差。在大田五叶期时,以EV2和EV3的表现最好,具有较大的冠层覆盖面积,同时干物质积累量和根量干重都较大,以EV5和EV6的表现最差,冠层覆盖面积、干物质积累量和根量干重较小,通过相关性分析发现,冠层覆盖面积与干物质积累量呈现极显著的相关性,与苗期胁迫条件下的性状特征相结合发现早期活力强的材料在大田中有较好的生长势。     

Spread of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) in Ontario, Canada. II. Dispersal by combines

Seeds of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) are moved between and within fields on combine harvesters. The dispersal of seeds of two biotypes of P. miliaceum by combine harvesters was quantified. The golden-seeded biotype of this weedy annual grass was known to have larger seeds and to experience less seed shattering than the black-seeded biotype. An average of 3·3% of the seeds on the plants of the black-seeded biotype was carried more than 50 m by combines, while 0·9% of the golden seeds were carried the same distance. The densities of the seed rain within 50 m of the weedy patches were 3·7 seeds m⁻² for the black-seeded biotype and 9·7 seeds m⁻² for the golden-seeded biotype. This difference was proportional to the difference in the number of seeds in the respective source patches. The numbers of seeds deposited at various points within 50 m of source patches were close to uniform for both biotypes. There was, however, a significant difference (P < 0·05) in the distributions of the seeds of the two biotypes.     

糜子抗旱及复水相关基因的cDNA-AFLP差异显示

以糜子抗旱种质为实验材料,采用cDNA-AFLP技术分析四叶期糜子幼苗叶片在干旱、复水与对照等条件下的基因表达差异。选取了36个引物组合(6个荧光标记TaqⅠ引物×6个非荧光标记MseⅠ引物)进行选择性扩增,结果表明,这些引物组合都有很好的扩增效果,在三种处理之间均能扩增出表达模式不同的差异片段。随机选取了8个干旱特有和4个复水特有的差异片段进行了克隆测序。利用NCBI的Blastn进行序列的dbEST比对结果表明,12个EST序列中有2个分别与小麦、玉米的EST序列有较高的相似性,其余10个与已知EST序列的同源性都很低,可能为新的糜子抗旱相关基因。用Blastx与Genebank的非冗余蛋白数据库进行比较结果表明,其中的一个序列(DR007245)与N-乙酰葡萄糖胺-N-乙酰胞壁酸五肽(UDP-N-acetylglucosamine--N-acetylmuramyl-(Pentapeptide))的同源性较高,两个序列(DR007249,DR007250)与水稻的反转录转座子蛋白具有较高的同源性,反转录转座蛋白在植物抗旱、耐盐等抗逆境方面有重要作用。另外还有两个序列(DR007251,DR007252)与两种假定蛋白同源性较高。     

Spread of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) in Ontario, Canada. I. Rate of spread and crop susceptibility

The infestations of two biotypes of Panicum miliaceum L. were monitored over a 5-year period (1981–1985) as they occurred in two townships in southwestern Ontario, Canada. On average, 16·5% of the cultivated fields in Hullett township were infested with the black-seeded biotype while 12·9% of the fields in North Norwich township were infested with the golden-seeded biotype. Neither population showed clear signs of increasing. The two biotypes were similar in their ability to persist as adult infestations. The black-seeded biotype showed a greater potential for colonizing uninfested fields. The crops grown in this region showed different susceptibilities to infestation by P. miliaceum. Corn (maize) fields were susceptible while most grain fields were resistant to infestation. White beans were susceptible to infestation by the black-seeded biotype. Wheat and oat crops were more resistant to infestation by the golden-seeded biotype than to those of the black-seeded biotype.     

Differential growth between and within triazine-resistant and triazine-susceptible biotypes of Senecio vulgaris L.

A comparative study of differential growth, time to flowering and resource allocation was made on three triazine-resistant and five susceptible populations of Senecio vulgaris grown in the absence of herbicides under spaced non-competitive conditions. The results show that: (1) the vegetative and total biomass production of all susceptible populations was greater than that of the resistant populations and (2) that many, but not all, of the susceptible populations showed greater seedling dry weight, earlier flowering, greater reproductive dry weight and greater reproductive effort as compared with the resistant populations. Estimates of between-population differences within a given biotype indicated that the resistant populations from all three widely separated locations were homogeneous in their growth response. The five susceptible populations were more dissimilar, exhibiting a broader range of response in growth parameters. Differences de croissance entre les biotypes de Senecio vulgaris L. sensibles ou résistants aux triazines Une étude comparative des differences en ce qui concerne la croissance, l'époque de floraison et le potentiel de ressources a été réalisée sur trois populations de Senecio vulgaris résistantes aux triazines et cinq populations sensibles, cultivées en l'absence d'herbicides, dans des conditions d'espacement non compétitives. Les résultats montrent que: (1) la production végétative et la biomasse totale de toutes les populations sensibles ont été plus élevées que celles des populations résistantes; (2) beaucoup des populations sensibles, mais non la totalité, avaient un poids sec de plantules plus élevé, une floraison plus précoce, un poids sec reproductif plus grand et manifestaient une meilleure aptitude à la reproduction que les populations résistantes. Les estimations des differences entre populations à l'intérieur d'un même biotype ont montré que les trois populations résistantes, qui provenaient de trois stations fort éloignées les unes des autres, étaient homogénes quant a leur croissance. Les cinq populations sensibles étaient plus disparates: elles ont donné un éventail de réponses plus large entre les paramétres de croissance. Unterschiedliches Wachstum zwischen und innerhalb Triazin-resistenten und Triazin-empfindiichen Biotypen von Senecio vulgaris L. Vergleichende Untersuchungen über unterschiedliches Wachstum, über den Blühzeitpunkt und die Herkunft wurden mit drei Triazin-resistenten und fünf empfindlichen Populationen von Senecio vulgaris, die in Abwesenheit von Herbiziden und ohne Konkurrenz gewachsen waren, durchgeführt. Die Resultate zeigen. dass I. die oberirdische und die Gesamt-Biomassepro-duktion bei alten empfindlichen Populationen grösser war als diejenige der resistenten Populationen und 2., dass viele, aber nicht alle der empfindlichen Populationen, ein höheres Keimlingstrockengewicht, früheren Blühzeitpunkt, grösseres Trockengewicht der Vermehrungsorgane und höhere Repro-duktionsraten aufwiesen als die resistenten Populationen. Schätzungen von Unterschieden zwischen den Populationen innerhalb eines gegebenen Biotyps deuten darauf hin, dass die resistenten Populationen, alle drei von weit auseinander-liegenden Orten stammend, bezüglich ihres Wachstums homogener reagierten. Die fünf empfindlichen Populationen wiesen eine grössere Variabilität in ihren Wachstumsparametern auf.     

Response of Brassica napus in tissue culture to metsulfuron-methyl and chlorsulfuron

A herbicide bioassay based on tissue cultures of Brassica napus L. was evaluated with selected sulfonylurea herbicides. Data were analysed by fitting the results to a log-logistic dose–response model. Within an experiment, the non-linear regression models were fitted simultaneously to the individual dose–response curves. The results obtained showed good response to even low concentrations of herbicide, with detection limits in the range 0.008–0.69 nmol L^?1 for chlorsulfuron and 0.02–0.13 nmol L^?1 for metsulfuron. The reproducibility of the assays, on the basis of coefficient of variation of the ED₅₀ values, was found to be 44% for chlorsulfuron and 48% for metsulfuron measurements. Assay of herbicide dissolved in aqueous soil extract showed significant interference from this matrix on the response, requiring a five times dilution of the extract to overcome this matrix effect.     

Virulence and inoculum density‐dependent interactions between clubroot resistant canola (Brassica napus) and Plasmodiophora brassicae

To mitigate the impact and dissemination of clubroot in western Canada, canola (Brassica napus) producers have relied on clubroot resistance traits. However, in 2013 and 2014, new strains of the clubroot pathogen, Plasmodiophora brassicae, emerged that are virulent on most clubroot‐resistant (CR) canola genotypes. Novel strains of the pathogen were inoculated onto two susceptible canola cultivars, one resistant line and six CR cultivars. Although all cultivars/lines showed a susceptible response to inoculation with the new strains of P. brassicae, the severity of disease reaction, root hair infection rates and the amount of P. brassicae DNA present in each canola genotype varied depending on the strain. In addition, the effect of inoculum density on disease severity and gall formation was recorded for one of these new strains on a universally susceptible Chinese cabbage cultivar and one susceptible and 10 resistant canola genotypes. Although root galls were observed at an inoculum density of 10³ spores per mL of soil, clear differentiation of susceptible and resistant reactions among canola cultivars/lines was not observed until the inoculum density reached 10⁵ spores mL^?1. At a spore density of 10⁶ spores mL^?1 and above, all cultivars/lines developed susceptible reactions, although there was some differentiation in the degree of reaction. This study shows the potential to develop a unique disease profile for emergent clubroot pathotypes and shows a useful range of spore densities at which to study new P. brassicae strains.     

Verticillium longisporum and V. dahliae: infection and disease in Brassica napus

Verticillium wilt of oilseed rape ( Brassica napus ) is caused primarily by Verticillium longisporum and has become a serious problem in northern Europe. In order to evaluate whether V. longisporum and V. dahliae differ in their interaction with oilseed rape, phenotypical and molecular assessments were made. Oilseed rape plants for fungal assessments were inoculated with V. longisporum and V. dahliae via root-dipping and samples were taken from roots, stems, leaves, flowers, pods and seeds during plant development. The infection by V. longisporum was found to start mainly in lateral roots and root-hairs, followed by colonization of the xylem vessels and extensive spread in stems and leaves, whereas V. dahliae infected the main roots and remained in the region below the cotyledon node of the plants. Re-isolation studies, together with PCR analysis of samples taken from early growth stages through to fully ripe plants, showed that the onset of flowering was a critical phase for V . longisporum to colonize plants. No seeds infected with V. longisporum were found. Mycelial growth from V. dahliae but not V. longisporum was significantly reduced on media containing tissue from a low glucosinolate B. napus genotype compared with growth on media containing tissue from a high glucosinolate cultivar. The results of this study suggest that V. longisporum favours B. napus as host and that the transition from the vegetative to the generative phase is of importance for the spread of the fungus in oilseed rape plants.     

Genetic diversity and virulence of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris isolates from Brassica napus and six Brassica oleracea crops in Serbia

The present study provides insight into the diversity of 147 Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) isolates obtained from six Brassica oleracea vegetable crops (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, kohlrabi) and the winter oilseed rape crop Brassica napus, collected from different regions in Serbia in 2014. The XCF/XCR pathovar-specific primer set was used for fast preliminary identification. In repetitive sequence-based PCR (BOX, ERIC and REP) of all isolates, a higher level of genetic diversity was found in winter oilseed rape isolates compared to isolates from the other hosts. ERIC and REP-PCR showed the highest heterogeneity, with 10 and nine banding patterns, respectively. The REP-PCR results showed the highest correlation (70%) with those obtained with multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), performed with 10 housekeeping genes (fusA, gap-1, gltA, gyrB1, lacF, lepA, rpoD, dnaK, fyuA and gyrB2). Three distinct phylogenetic groups of winter oilseed rape isolates were detected using MLSA. Two genes, gltA and rpoD, showed the greatest ability to identify and discriminate winter oilseed rape Xcc isolates from isolates of the other six hosts. The lepA gene exhibited specific three-nucleotide changes in sequences of some of the isolates. Results of virulence testing of 18 representative isolates showed statistically significant host–pathogen specialization for Xcc isolates from winter oilseed rape, cauliflower, kale and kohlrabi. In conclusion, oilseed rape isolates are more genetically diverse and show greater specialization to their host in comparison to the rest of the tested isolates from other brassica hosts.     

Identifying seedling and adult plant resistance of Chinese Brassica napus germplasm to Leptosphaeria maculans

Blackleg disease of canola/rapeseed (Brassica napus), caused by the devastating fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, can significantly influence B. napus production worldwide, except for China, where only the less aggressive L. biglobosa has been found associated with the disease. The aim of this study was to characterize both seedling resistance (major gene resistance, R gene resistance) and adult plant resistance (APR) from a collection of Chinese B. napus varieties/lines (accessions) to L. maculans. Evaluation of seedling resistance was carried out under a controlled environment, using 11 well‐characterized L. maculans isolates as differentials. The identification of APR was performed under multiple field environments in western Canada. R genes were detected in more than 40% of the accessions tested. Four specific R genes, Rlm1, Rlm2, Rlm3 and Rlm4 were identified, with Rlm3 and Rlm4 being the most common genes, while Rlm1 and Rlm2 were detected only occasionally. Results of field evaluation indicated significant variations among field locations as well as accessions; a large portion of the B. napus accessions, regardless of the resistance level observed at the seedling stage, showed high to moderate levels of APR under all environments tested. This study highlights that both R gene resistance and APR are present in Chinese B. napus germplasm and could be potential sources of resistance against blackleg caused by L. maculans if the pathogen ever becomes established in China.     

Glucosinolates and disease resistance in oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. oleifera)

The hypothesis that enhancing the level of glucosinolates in leaves of oilseed rape would increase resistance to two fungal pathogens was tested. Thirty-three Brassica napus lines with variable leaf glucosinolate contents were assessed for susceptibility to infection by Leptosphaeria maculans and Alternaria spp. under field conditions. The data clearly showed that there was not a simple positive relation between glucosinolate content and resistance, and that the hypothesis can be refuted. The level of Alternaria infection of both leaves and pods was positively correlated with glucosinolate content, while for L. maculans there was no significant relationship between the two variables. It is suggested that these pathogens have become specialists on glucosinolate-containing taxa in an analogous way to insect herbivores.     

A Cluster of Major Specific Resistance Genes to Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus

ABSTRACT Two types of genetic resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans usually are distinguished in Brassica napus: qualitative, total resistance expressed at the seedling stage and quantitative, partial resistance expressed at the adult plant stage. The latter is under the control of many genetic factors that have been mapped through quantitative trait loci (QTL) studies using 'Darmor' resistance. The former usually is ascribed to race-specific resistance controlled by single resistance to L. maculans (Rlm) genes. Three B. napus-originating specific Rlm genes (Rlm1, Rlm2, and Rlm4) previously were characterized. Here, we report on the genetic identification of two novel resistance genes, Rlm3 and Rlm7, corresponding to the avirulence genes AvrLm3 and AvrLm7. The identification of a novel L. maculans- B. napus specific interaction allowed the detection of another putative new specific resistance gene, Rlm9. The resistance genes were mapped in two genomic regions on LG10 and LG16 linkage groups. A cluster of five resistance genes (Rlm1, Rlm3, Rlm4, Rlm7, and Rlm9) was strongly suggested on LG10. The relation between all these specific resistance genes and their potential role in adult-plant field resistance is discussed. These two Rlm-carrying regions do not correspond to major QTL for Darmor quantitative resistance.     

Field efficiency of Brassica napus specific resistance correlates with Leptosphaeria maculans population structure

Field experiments were conducted in Versailles, France, to assess blackleg resistance of Brassica napus cultivars Quinta and Glacier under natural infection conditions. Blackleg disease severity was assessed twice during growth of B. napus. Quinta resistance was highly expressed as only 13% to 18% of the plants exhibited leaf symptoms in December, whereas Glacier and other cultivars displayed more than 80% of infected plants. In June (harvest), 70% (first year) to 41.5% (second year) of Quinta plants were canker-free. In contrast, Glacier was as infected as the susceptible control cultivars, with more than 88% of plants displaying canker. The Leptosphaeria maculans population structure was examined in parallel. Based on soluble protein patterns, 9% of the 299 fungal isolates collected were characterized as Tox⁰ species, and belonged to the NA1 sub-group. All but two of Tox⁰ isolates were isolated from atypical dark necrotic leaf lesions, mainly occurring on Quinta. In contrast, the Tox⁺ isolates were recovered from typical leaf lesions. Following a cotyledon inoculation test on the differential set Westar, Quinta and Glacier, 92 to 95% of Tox⁺ isolates collected on susceptible cultivars were characterized as PG3 isolates, i.e. avirulent on Quinta. The remaining Tox⁺ isolates belong to PG4, i.e. virulent on the three cultivars. No PG2 isolate, i.e. avirulent on both Quinta and Glacier, was identified in the sampling. The present study suggests that specific resistance expressed at the cotyledon level can be efficient under field conditions where the corresponding avirulent races of the pathogen are prevalent.     

Major Gene and Polygenic Resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus)

The most common and effective way to control phoma stem canker (blackleg) caused by Leptosphaeria maculans in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is through the breeding of resistant cultivars. Race specific major genes that mediate resistance from the seedling stage have been identified in B. napus or have been introgressed from related species. Many race specific major genes have been described and some of them are probably identical in B. napus (allotetraploid AACC) and the parental species B. rapa (diploid AA). More work is needed using a set of well-characterised isolates to determine the number of different major resistance genes available. In some B. napus cultivars, there is resistance which is polygenic (mediated by Quantitative Trait Loci) and postulated to be race non-specific. Many of these major genes and Quantitative Trait Loci for resistance to L. maculans have been located on B. napus genetic maps. Genes involved in race specific and polygenic resistance are generally distinct.