Estimation of black and red currant varieties of VNIISPK breeding for resistance to powdery mildew

Abstract

This article highlights the results of research on the resistance to powdery mildew ( Sphaerotheca mors-uvae (Schw.) Berc. Etcurt.) of black currant ( Ribes nigrum L.) and red currant ( Ribes rubrum L.) varieties of Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding. The research was conducted on the natural infectious background of collection sites and areas of primary variety study of black currant planted in 2014, with plant spacing 3×1 m, and red currant planted in 2015, with plant spacing 3.5×0.5 m. As objects of the study, 29 black currant varieties and 17 red currant varieties were taken. The purpose of the research was to assess the resistance to powdery mildew of black currant and red currant varieties and to reveal highly resistant varieties based on screening for further use in breeding and production. In the breeding of black currant for immunity to powdery mildew, the most effective areas were those where donors of four resistance oligogens were involved, of which the derivatives of nutmeg currant Ribes glutinosum (Sph3 gene) and the Sunderbyn — II variety (R gene) were most widely involved in the crossings. In red currant breeding, the derivatives obtained from intervarietal crosses of different genetic origin were used as sources of resistance to powdery mildew. Highly resistant varieties of black currant were identified on the basis of screening: Arapka, Ariadna, Assol, Gamma, Gratsia, Iskushenie, Kipiana, Kreolka, Narianna, Nyura, Oasis, Ocharovanie and Podarok Leta. In the main mass of varieties the degree of damage varied from 1.5 to 2 points: Azhurnaya, Ladushka, Monisto, Blagosloveniye, Blakeston, Orlovia, Orlovsky Vals, Orlovskaya Serenada, Dachnitza, Desertnaya Ogoltzovoy, Zagliadenie, Chernaya Vual, Zusha, Ekzotica, Asya, Valentinovka, Gazel and Niva. Blakeston was previously considered as highly resistant in the field, but in 2019, with a strong infectious load, the lesion score was 1.5. All these varieties may be recommended for commercial growing of black currants. The use of highly resistant currant varieties in commercial cultivation will reduce the pesticide load on agrocoenosis, economic costs and make it possible to obtain environmentally friendly products.