New Sources of Cylindrocladium Black Rot Resistance among Runner-Type Peanut Cultivars

Abstract

Abstract Cylindrocladium Black Rot (CBR) caused by Cylindrocladium parasiticum Crous, Wingfield, & Alfenas syn. C. crotalariae (Loos) Bell & Sobers is a major disease problem in southeast U.S. peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. Field trials were conducted for two-years (2008-09) at a test site (Gibbs Farm) that has a long history of continuous peanut production near the Univ. of Georgia, Coastal Plain Expt. Station, Tifton, GA to evaluate for CBR resistance among new runner-type peanut cultivars. All plots were artificially inoculated with microsclerotia of C. parasiticum after planting each year. Significant differences (P≤0.05) were found among the cultivars and advanced breeding lines for both CBR resistance and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) resistance which was also present each year, but the predominant disease was CBR. Georgia Greener, Georgia-06G, Georgia-07W, Georgia-02C, and Carver were consistently found to be the most CBR resistant; whereas, C-99R and Tifguard were the most susceptible each year. In separate CBR tests conducted in 2009 and 2010 at a different location (Blackshank Farm), Georgia Greener also had the least difference, and Tifguard had the greatest difference, between C. parasiticum inoculated versus non-inoculated plots for pod yield. These combined test results demonstrate that useful levels of CBR resistance are currently available in promising new runner-type peanut cultivars.