Inheritance of Phytophthora Root Rot and Foliar Blight Resistance in Pepper

Abstract

The inheritance of resistance to Phytophthora capsici Leonian root rot and foliar blight was compared in two different Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum pod types. The seedling was screened for phytophthora root rot, while a genetically identical stem cutting was screened for phytophthora foliar blight to determine if the same gene(s) confer resistance to both disease syndromes. The susceptible parents were `Keystone Resistant Giant #3' (`Keystone'), a bell pepper type, and `Early Jalapeño', while `Criollo de Morelos-334' was the resistant parent. Resistance was observed in both F1 populations screened for phytophthora root and foliar infection indicating dominance for resistance. Reciprocal effects were not detected. To determine if the same gene(s) conferred root rot and foliar resistance, root rot screening results were matched to the corresponding foliar blight stem cutting reaction. The segregation of resistance in the F2 generations was dependent on the susceptible parent. In the F2 generation derived from `Early Jalapeño', root rot resistance and foliar blight resistance segregated in a 9:3:3:1 (root resistant/foliar resistant: root resistant/foliar susceptible: root susceptible/foliar resistant: root susceptible/foliar susceptible) ratio. One independent, dominant gene was necessary for root rot resistance, and a different independent, dominant gene was needed for foliar blight resistance. In the F2 generation derived from `Keystone', root rot and foliar blight resistance segregated in a 7:2:2:5 (root resistant/foliar resistant: root resistant/foliar susceptible: root susceptible/foliar resistant: root susceptible/foliar susceptible) ratio. This segregation ratio is expected when one dominant gene is required for root resistance, and a different dominant gene is required for foliar resistance. In addition to these two genes, at least one dominant allele of a third gene must be present for expression of root rot and foliar blight resistance.