Evaluation of Onion Genotypes for Resistance to Stunting Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG 8

Abstract

Thirty-five onion genotypes were evaluated for resistance to stunting caused by Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 8 (AG 8) in a growth chamber set at 15 ± 1 °C. The trial was repeated. Resistance to R. solani AG 8 was defined as a lack of significant difference in plant height, root length, and/or total dry biomass between inoculated and noninoculated plants of the same genotype. Plant height was not reduced significantly by R. solani AG 8 for 14 and 7 of the 35 genotypes in Trials 1 and 2, respectively. In Trial 1, plant height reduction caused by R. solani ranged from 24% for the cv. Lasalle to 62% for the experimental line R14882, and in Trial 2 plant height reduction ranged from 22% for the experimental line PX07713218 to 53% for the cv. Montblanc. However, the extent of reduction in plant height caused by R. solani did not differ significantly among genotypes in either trial. Onion root length was not reduced by R. solani AG 8 for 26 and 18 of the 35 genotypes in Trials 1 and 2, respectively. The degree of reduction in root length ranged from 9% (R14889) to 76% (Sterling and SN232) in Trial 1, and 14% (SN325) to 74% (Sterling) in Trial 2. Onion dry biomass was not reduced by R. solani AG 8 for 19 and 7 of the 35 genotypes in Trials 1 and 2, respectively, and ranged from 18% (Elbrus) to 69% (Sterling) in Trial 1, and 29% (SN232) to 79% (Sterling) in Trial 2. The reduction in onion root length and total biomass did not differ significantly among onion genotypes in Trial 1, but differed among genotypes in Trial 2. Of the 35 genotypes evaluated, 3, 16, and 3 demonstrated partial resistance to R. solani AG 8 for plant height, root length, and total biomass, respectively, in both trials. Only four genotypes displayed partial resistance to R. solani AG 8 for at least two of the three growth parameters: plant height, root length, and biomass of PX07713218 were unaffected by the fungus in either trial; and R14885, R14888, and SN307 displayed partial resistance in both trials for two of the three parameters, and in one of the two trials for the third parameter. These four genotypes could be used in onion breeding programs to develop cultivars partially resistant to stunting caused by R. solani AG 8.