Evaluation of Resistance to Cylindrocladium Parasiticum of Runner-Type Peanut in The Greenhouse and Field

Abstract

Abstract Identification and utilization of peanut cultivars with resistance to Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR) is a desirable approach to manage this disease. The objectives of this study were to improve greenhouse and field screening techniques for resistance to CBR, and to evaluate the reaction of selected runner-type peanut genotypes. Georgia-02C (moderately resistant to CBR) and C-99R (CBR-susceptible) were used in comparing the effectiveness of different inoculation methods in the greenhouse. Disease development was affected by both size and density of microsclerotia in soil. Use of microsclerotia at a size of ≥150 to <250 µm and a density of 1 to 5 microsclerotia/g soil provided the best separation the CBR-resistant cultivar Georgia-02C and the susceptible C-99R based on root rot severity. Genotypes with varying resistance to CBR were evaluated by growth in a naturally infested field, and by inoculating plants in the field and greenhouse. Disease incidence and severity at harvest were the most effective parameters for evaluating CBR resistance in the field and greenhouse, respectively. The cultivars Georgia-02C and Georganic had the lowest disease incidence, whereas C-99R and DP-1 had the highest disease incidence in a naturally infested field in 2005 and 2006. Incidence of CBR was moderate for Georgia-01R in both years, but was inconsistent for C34-24-85. Georgia-02C and Georganic also showed partial resistance to CBR in greenhouse tests. Inoculated plants in the field had similar reaction with Georgia-02C and Georganic showing higher CBR resistance than C-99R and DP-1 in both 2006 and 2007. The root rot severities for genotypes Georgia-02C and Georganic were lower than those for C-99R and DP-1. Incidence of CBR in the naturally infested field was significantly correlated with CBR incidence in the inoculated plants in the field (r  =  0.84, P ≤ 0.01), but neither was correlated with disease ratings for greenhouse experiments. Peanut genotypes are most reliably screened by inoculating plants in the field or using uniformly infested fields. Further study is needed to improve greenhouse screening procedures.