Environmental differences and their effect on the assessment of quantitative resistance to potato cyst nematodes1

Abstract

Experiments assessing the quantitative resistance of potato clones to potato cyst nematodes tend to produce variable results because of genotype‐environment interactions. Despite these interactions clones are ranked in the same way even when a major environmental factor such as initial nematode population density is changed. It is also argued that as the reproductive rate is so environmentally sensitive the use of fixed levels of nematode multiplication rate as criteria for classifying clones is inappropriate. It is proposed that standard resistant and partially resistant clones be included in all assessment tests. They would act as delineators of resistance classes and would allow easy comparisons to be made between tests whether conducted in glasshouse or field.