Transgressive Segregation and Long-Term Consistency for High TSWV Field Resistance in the ‘Georgia-06G’ Peanut Cultivar

Abstract

Tomato spotted wilt disease caused by tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a major peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production problem in the United States. TSWV has become endemic since the mid-1980s in the southeastern U.S. peanut production area. ‘Georgia-06G’ is a large-seeded, TSWV-resistant, runner-type peanut cultivar, whereas ‘Georgia Greener’ is a sister line with a smaller seed size than Georgia-06G. Both Georgia-06G and Georgia Greener have greater TSWV general field resistance with higher yields, total sound mature kernels grade, and dollar values than the parents (‘Georgia Green’ and ‘C-99R’), which shows transgressive segregation for these desirable quantitative traits. Therefore, the objective of this 12-year study was to evaluate the higher TSWV host-plant resistance found in the Georgia-06G over time compared with many other runner- and virginia-type peanut cultivars and advanced breeding lines. Despite yearly variability in TSWV and total disease incidence, the data indicate that Georgia-06G exhibited long-term high TSWV and total disease field resistance at midseason and late season, respectively. Georgia-06G was also found to have among the highest pod yield and dollar value every year. The higher general TSWV field resistance of Georgia-06G appears to be consistent across many years and locations, similar to the moderate TSWV resistance in Georgia Green.