Field resistance of spring barley cultivars to powdery mildew in Lithuania

Abstract

During vegetative period 2004-2005 powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis DC. f. sp. hordei Em. Marchal) field resistance of spring barley cultivars was investigated at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture. The spring barley genotypes tested were Lithuania-registered cultivars, cultivars from genetic resources collection, and the new cultivars used for initial breeding. In total, 23 resistance genes were present in the 84 cultivars studied. Among mono-genes only mlo and 1-B-53 showed very high resistance. Slight powdery mildew necroses (up to 3 scores) formed on cultivars possessing these genes. The maximal powdery mildew (PM) severity reached a score of 8.5 and the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) a value of 1216.8. The cultivars 'Primus', 'Astoria', 'Power', 'Harrington' and 'Scarlett' were the most resistant among the non mlo cultivars. Severity of PM on 'Primus' reached a score of 3.5 (3.0 of PM necrosis) in average, the other cultivars were diseased from 4.5 (3.0) to 5.0 (2.0). The AUDPC values for these cultivars except 'Scarlett' were the lowest (85.0-145.3) among the other cultivars. The highest contrast in development of the other leaf diseases was between highly resistant and susceptible to PM cultivar groups. The fast development of PM depressed development of the other diseases 4.7 times.

Differences in powdery mildew epidemics in spring and winter barley based on 30-year variety trials

“…Results of resistance assessment based on the infection of varieties are published more frequently (Bennett & Westcott, 1982; Daamen, 1989; Reglinski et al , 1994; Broers et al , 1996; Liatukas & Leistrumaité, 2007; Pretorius et al , 2007). However, such studies cannot be used to assess disease severity as they usually do not extend over many years and often involve artificial inoculation or application of various preparations (surfactants, pesticides etc.)…”

The peculiarities of genetic structure of the Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei population in Lithuania

“…Winter barley hardly survives Lithuanian winters; in 2010 it comprised only about 6% of the total barley area (Statistical Yearbook of Lithuania, 2011). Some investigations have been done on the field resistance of spring barley varieties to powdery mildew in Lithuania, when Lithuania-registered genotypes, new genotypes for initial breeding and genotypes from collections of genetic resources were tested (Liatukas, Leistrumaitė, 2007). The recent study concerning genetic peculiarities of the population of the causal agent of barley powdery mildew in Lithuania was done in 2000 (Kokina, Rashal, 2002).…”