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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Crops Pathology and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #274037
Title: Evaluation of wild walnut Juglans spp. for resistance to crown gall disease

Author
item Kluepfel, Daniel
item Aradhya, Mallikarjuna
item Moersfelder, Jeff
item McClean, Ali
item HACKETT, W. - University Of California
item Dull, Adriane

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2011
Publication Date: 8/15/2011
Citation: Kluepfel, D.A., Aradhya, M.K., Moersfelder, J.W., Mcclean, A.E., Hackett, W.P., Dull, A.J. 2011. Evaluation of wild walnut Juglans spp. for resistance to crown gall disease. Phytopathology. 101:S92.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Crown gall (CG) disease of walnut is caused by the ubiquitous soil-borne bacterium, Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The most widely used rootstock Paradox, an interspecific hybrid between Juglans hindsii and Juglans regia, is typically highly susceptible to A. tumefaciens. Identification of a durable source of resistance in wild Juglans species could be introgressed into commercially viable rootstocks, as an effective strategy for controlling crown gall in walnut. CG tolerant Juglans and Pterocarya spp. have been identified in a disease resistance screen conducted under greenhouse conditions. A wide range of variability in tumor formation was observed among different host genotypes. Even though CG resistance appeared to be rare in the germplasm accessions tested, Juglans microcarpa accessions were consistently the most resistant. Two J. microcarpa mother trees both generated open pollinated seedlings which exhibited increased tolerance to CG development. Rooted dormant cuttings from CG resistant selections were propagated, inoculated with A. tumefaciens, and continue to show CG resistance. These promising candidates are being further examined to confirm the stability of the observed resistance and to be used in directed crosses with commercially viable parents as a first step towards development of crown gall resistant rootstocks.