Partial resistance in lettuce to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae). 2. Differential interactions between plant genotypes and fungus races and the relationship of latent period,infection frequency and number of infected leaves with the level of partial resistance

Summary In three experiments differential interactions between lettuce genotypes and Bremia lactucae races were investigated and also the influence of latent period, infection frequency and number of infected leaves on the level of resistance.In experiment 1 very significant differential interactions were observed mainly caused by two plant genotypes (PIVT 82 and PIVT 315) and race NL 7. In experiments 2 and 3 differential interactions were absent or of minor importance. Results suggest that partial resistance often was of a race-non-specific character. Latent period appeared to be a major component of resistance in the lettuce-Bremia lactucae relationship. It determines the onset of the next cycle of spore production and is also indicative of fungus growth in host tissue. Compared with infection frequency and number of infected leaves, latent period shows a small error variation and can efficiently be measured. The closeness of the relationship of the number of primary infections and the number of infected leaves with resistance level varied, depending on the experiment. The above three components appeared to be associated but the degree of the association varied. The variable behaviour of the three components suggests that they are governed by different genes.For the level as well as for the complexity and durability of the resistance, accumulation of as many components of resistance as possible is desirable. Therefore, in parents all such components should be analysed before crosses are carried out to improve resistance level. In the final products of crossing and selection the relative importance of components should also be investigated to determine whether an increased resistance level results from additional effects of the parents on one component (e.g. latent period) or from accumulation of different components in a plant genotype.Students at the Agricultural University Wageningen