Selection of plum genotypes for resistance to leaf scald

Abstract

ABSTRACT Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cultivation is seriously compromised in Brazil due to the occurrence of leaf scald, a disease caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex. The objective of this study was to evaluate plum genotypes agronomically promising for resistance to leaf scald, under natural conditions of occurrence of the disease. Ten out of 50 plum genotypes belonging to the germplasm bank of “Instituto Agronômico do Paraná (IAPAR)” were selected. Five evaluations of leaf scald severity were carried out from January to February (2017 and 2018). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also performed for samples of these genotypes to determine the presence of the bacterium X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex. The genotypes differed in relation to their susceptibility to leaf scald. PR-1095 was the most resistant genotype and did not show any leaf symptom of the disease. In contrast, genotypes PR-1126 and PR-1137 had the greatest susceptibility to the disease, showing severe scald symptoms. However, PCR revealed the presence of the bacterium even in the most resistant genotypes, indicating, for example, that PR-1095, which had no symptoms of the disease, is probably tolerant to leaf scald.