Long lasting rubber tree resistance to Microcyclus ulei characterized by reduced conidial emission and absence of teleomorph

Abstract

The resistance of the MDF 180 Hevea brasiliensis cultivar to South American leaf blight caused by Microcyclus ulei has been studied under both controlled conditions of inoculation, and under natural infestation in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Inoculated isolates on this cultivar in most cases developed sporulating lesions and produced conidiospores, but at a moderate level, characteristic of a race non-specific, partial resistance. The teleomorph of M. ulei has never been reported on this cultivar, either in controlled conditions or in natural infestation, whereas it is commonly observed on other susceptible cultivars. This type of resistance has seldom been described for other pathosystems. MDF 180 resistance having also endured for more than 30 years in areas very conducive to the disease can, therefore, be described as a durable resistance. Rubber productivity of this cultivar is not sufficient to allow planting on industrial scale, but its resistance characteristics make it a good progenitor candidate for rubber tree resistance breeding programs.