Pathogenicity of Some European Collections of Crown Rust (Puccinia coronata Corda) on Cultivars of Perennial Ryegrass

Abstract

Three collections of crown rust (Puccinia coronata), from Czechoslovakia, West Germany and the U.K., were tested for their pathogenicity on sixteen cultivars of perennial ryegrass. The Czechoslovakian collection had the highest level of infection on twelve of the cultivars, although with most cultivars there were no significant differences in infection levels. Three cultivars, although with most cultivars there were no significant differences in infection levels. Three cultivars, Kerem, Loret, ta and Tando, contained qualitative resistance to crown rust which was overcome by the Czechoslovakian collection, although they retained a moderately high level of background resistance to this collection.

Effects of pathogens on perennial pasture grasses

“…This contrasts with research in the United Kingdom, United States, and Europe where the genetic inheritance of resistance has been partially defined (Hayward 1977;Wilkins 1978;Kopec et al 1983;Braverman 1986) and resistant cultivars have been released (McVeigh 1977). Several investigators (Waterhouse 1951;Gibb 1966;Wilkins 1978;Braverman 1986;Potter et al 1990) have indicated that infection of perennial ryegrass encompasses more than one race of crown rust, although no major effort has been made to define the reaction of ryegrass to individual races. This suggests that further advances can be made towards breeding cultivars with more durable resistance.…”

Introgression of crown rust (Puccinia coronata) resistance from meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) into Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and physical mapping of the locus

“…Crown rust (Puccinia coronata) is a common disease of ryegrasses, and is probably the most serious fungal disease of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in the UK and western Europe (Potter et al, 1990). It is apparently becoming more widespread in Europe, and while it is normally most prevalent in late summer and autumn, there are many recent reports of the disease appearing earlier (Reheul et al, 2001).…”

Laying the foundation for a taxonomic review of Puccinia coronata s.l. in a phylogenetic context

“…Although well-known as causing disease on oats, the species also occurs on a broad range of other hosts, and is considered one of the most important and damaging diseases worldwide of cultivated oat (Avena sativa) and pasture grasses (Harder and Haber 1992;Potter et al 1990;Simons 1970). In Canada, control of the disease mainly depends on the deployment of resistant cultivars, assisted by early planting strategies and fungicide applications (McCallum et al 2007).…”