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Title: IDENTIFICATION OF SOURCES OF RESITANCE TO BACTERIAL ANGULAR LEAFSPOT DISEASE OF STRAWBERRY

Author
item Hartung, John
item GOUIN, CHRISTINA - 1275-11-00
item Lewers, Kimberly
item MAAS, JOHN - RETIRED - USDA/ARS FL
item HOKANSON, S - UNIV OF MINNESOTA

Submitted to: Acta Horticulture Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2003
Publication Date: 8/1/2004
Citation: Hartung, J.S., Gouin, C., Lewers, K.S., Maas, J., Hokanson, S. 2003. Identification of sources of resitance to bacterial angular leafspot disease of strawberry. Acta Horticulture Proceedings. 626:155-159.

Interpretive Summary: Bacterial angular leafspot disease of strawberries has been increasing in importance to strawberry producers in recent years, because it is spread by infected but asymptomatic strawberry plantlets used in annual row culture systems. There are no control methods for the disease and no resistant varieties. Four genetically distinct strains of the pathogen, Xanthomonas fragariae, were used to screen a collection of 81 strawberry accessions for resistance to the pathogen. We have identified two strawberry genotypes that are very resistant to this disease. These genotypes, US 4808 and US 4809 have been released to the public. We have used these genotypes as parents in controlled crosses and shown that these genotypes pass on the resistant phenotype to between 4-18% of their progeny. Data from the crosses is being analyzed to establish the genetic basis of the resistance. Hypersensitive resistance, commonly observed in plants against bacterial pathogens, was not observed. Instead, in the resistant plants the bacteria fail to multiply and cause necrosis, although they survive for weeks at the site of inoculation. Our work will be of interest to both strawberry breeders and producers as well as to plant pathologists interested in plant disease mechanisms. Use of this germplasm may contribute to more sustainable and profitable strawberry culture.

Technical Abstract: Bacterial angular leafspot disease (BALD) of cultivated strawberry, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas fragariae, has become an increasingly serious disease problem. It is of particular concern because it is readily transmitted through asymptomatic nursery plants. Until now, there have been no sources of resistance to this pathogen identified in either commercial varieties or germplasm. We have used four genetically distinct strains of the pathogen, Xanthomonas fragariae, to screen 81 Fragariae genotypes, including both diploid and octoploid accessions, for resistance to this pathogen. Two genotypes, a native F. virginiana from Minnesota and a cultivated F. virginiana x F. ananassa hybrid from Georgia were found to be resistant to all four genotypes of this pathogen after leaf infiltration assays. Following infiltration of these genotypes, symptoms of the disease, including localized necrosis, leaf collapse, bacterial ooze production or systemic spread of the pathogen were not observed. Plants of 'Sweet Charlie', used as the susceptible standard showed all of these symptoms. The two resistant genotypes, designated US 4808 and US 4809 have been made available to the public as germplasm releases. Controlled crosses were also made between US 4808 and US4809 and the susceptible variety 'Sweet Charlie'. Resistance to X. fragariae was transmitted to 8-12% of the progeny of the US4808 cross and to 4-18% of the progeny of the US4809 cross. Data from these experiments are being analyzed to establish the mode of inheritance. Our research may lead to sustainable control of this disease.