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Title: SEEKING RESISTANCE TO EARLY AND LATE BLIGHTS

Author
item Helgeson, John
item Haberlach, Geraldine
item JAMES, R - UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
item STEVENSON, W - UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

Submitted to: Proceedings Wisconsin Annual Potato Meetings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In 1994 and 1995 we presented data on late blight and early blight resistances in progeny of crosses between various cultivars and somatic hybrids between potato and Solanum bulbocastanum, a wild Mexican species. These results led us to plant a larger variety trial at Hancock in 1996. A total of 95 cultivars and breeding lines were planted in replicated trials for late and early blight resistance. Ten lines showed promising resistance. This indicates that we have several good sources of early blight resistance that can be used in breeding. Unlike in 1995, a severe late blight epidemic occurred at Hancock, and was in full progression by August 12. For example, cultivars such as Russet Burbank (99.4% leaf infection), Atlantic (98.3% leaf infection) and Dark Red Norland (99.6% leaf infection) were essentially killed by that date. In contrast, 14 of the test lines showed less than 20% %leaf infection on August 26 when the last readings were taken. Of these, 11 were derived from S. bulbocastanum + potato somatic hybrids. Next summer we plan a large experiment at Hancock with a number of these plants from the next generation so that resistant plants that have the best plant and tuber types can be selected for future crosses.