Seedling and adult plant resistance to downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica) in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. botrytis)

Abstract

Seedlings of six cauliflower cultivars (Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. botrytis) were assessed for resistance to a Danish isolate of Peronospora parasitica, under controlled conditions. Resistance, characterized by restricted sporulation and necrotic dark flecks at the inoculation site on the cotyledons, was expressed in the hybrids 9306 F1, 9311 F1, and the open pollinated cultivar Perfection. Testing of the parent lines and F2 generations of the two resistant hybrids suggested that resistance was a dominantly inherited trait controlled by a single gene. Inoculation of the cultivars with seven isolates, from different geographical origins, showed that the resistance was isolate specific. The two hybrid cultivars expressing cotyledon resistance and two hybrids expressing susceptibility were assessed for adult plant resistance under field conditions. The AUDPC (Area Under the Disease Progress Curve), based on disease incidence and severity, revealed significant differences between the cultivars. At harvest, the cultivars exhibited significantly different levels of defoliation and curd attack. The cultivars 9306 F1 and 9311 F1 showed high levels of resistance in all assessments, whereas the two cultivars exhibiting susceptibility at the seedling stage, 9304 F1 and 9305 F1, also exhibited susceptibility through the adult plant stage. Thus, the resistance exhibited under field conditions resembled that identified at the seedling stage under controlled conditions. The results suggest that cotyledon resistance similar to that described could provide resistance throughout the adult plant stage, including curds.