Further evidence on the effects of gene H,which confers cane hairyness,on resistance to raspberry diseases

Summary Gene H determines cane hairyness in raspberries and was reported to facilitate escape from infection by Botrytis cinerea and Didymella applanata. However, experiments with mycelial inoculations of wounded canes showed that it conferred a form of resistance which was evident for a long period after the establishment of infections by these pathogens. The gene also contributed to the resistance of fruit to B. cinerea and of canes to Leptosphaeria coniothyrium. Alternative hypotheses to explain these observations are discussed: two based upon its possible genetic linkage with a gene or genes for resistance and one based upon its possible pleiotropic effects.