Effect of Kabatiella caulivora isolates and host growth stage on symptom expression and resistance in Trifolium subterraneum

Abstract

Occasional severe clover scorch disease outbreaks from Kabatiella caulivora have occurred in the 2 partially resistant Trifolium subterraneum cultivars, Karridale and Meteora. All K. caulivora isolates screened, including isolates taken from severely damaged field swards of Karridale and Meteora, were highly pathogenic, but there was variation in the pathogenicity of some isolates and there was a significant cultivar x isolate interaction in 1 of 2 studies. Plant age affected development of disease. Cultivars Karridale, Mt Barker and Woogenellup were least susceptible when inoculated 10 weeks from sowing, and there was a strong plant age x cultivar interaction. However, there was no suggestion that severe disease in Karridale was due to increased susceptibility at a particular plant growth stage. In resistance screening studies, the resistance rankings of subterranean clover varieties sometimes changed markedly depending upon the test isolate, and in 1 of 2 studies, there was a significant cultivar x isolate interaction. While there was significant overall correlation between glasshouse and field data, this only accounted for 49.9 and 20.5%, respectively, of the variation. Glasshouse screening was not suitable for replacing field screening but it was useful for confirming the field resistance of some highly resistant genotypes.