Resistance of Potato Breeding Clones and Cultivars to Three Species of Potato Cyst Nematode

Abstract

In the United States, potato cyst nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida are quarantined pests. A new cyst nematode species, Globodera ellingtonae, discovered in Oregon and Idaho, reproduces well on potato but is not currently a quarantine pest. Identifying resistance to all three Globodera spp. would provide a valuable management tool. Thirteen breeding clones and nine cultivars were evaluated in Oregon, Idaho, and New York laboratories where the nematode populations are maintained. Minitubers or tissue culture plants were planted into pots and inoculated with eggs in replicated experiments. Results indicated that five entries were partially resistant or resistant to all three species, while another five were resistant or partially resistant to G. rostochiensis and G. ellingtonae. Resistance to G. rostochiensis pathotypes Ro1 and Ro4 is controlled by the H1 gene and this study suggests that H1 may confer resistance to G. ellingtonae as well. Observed resistance to G. pallida was lower relative to the levels of resistance observed for G. rostochiensis and G. ellingtonae. Germplasm with G. pallida or G. ellingtonae resistance will be used in hybridizations to develop russet-skinned cultivars with long tubers which represent the predominant market class in western U.S. production, and to further explore the basis of potato resistance to Globodera spp.