ARS | Publication request: Progress Toward Breeding for Verticillium Wilt Resistance

Submitted to: Proceedings Wisconsin Annual Potato Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 29, 2010
Publication Date: February 2, 2010
Citation: Jansky, S.H. 2010. Progress Toward Breeding for Verticillium Wilt Resistance [abstract]. Proceedings Wisconsin Annual Potato Meetings. p. 119-121.

Technical Abstract: Verticillium wilt is a persistent and serious problem in potato production. Host plant resistance offers an attractive long-term control method. Breeding progress depends on access to germplasm carrying resistance genes. This study was carried out to identify sources of Verticillium wilt resistant germplasm in U.S. potato breeding programs. Three trials were planted on April 29, 2009. Each consisted of three replications of five-hill units of 38 advanced selections from the U.S. potato breeding programs, along with 13 cultivars. Trial A was planted on a fumigated field and was used to evaluate yield. Trial B was planted on a nearby field that was inoculated with V. dahliae in 2006 and has been maintained as a VW screening plot. Based on soil samples collected in 2008, it had an average of 20 cfu/g soil. This field was used to evaluate disease symptom expression, yield in the presence of V. dahliae, and colonization of dying stems. Trial C was also planted on the inoculated field and was destructively sampled during the summer to evaluate colonization of green stems. Clones were evaluated for yield loss, stem colonization, and symptom expression. Several breeding programs contributed resistant clones, including Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho, and Maryland.