Field evaluation of mint mutant and hybrid lines for resistance to Verticillium wilt and yield

Authors: JOHNSON, DENNIS - Washington State University; BAKER, RAY - Washington State University; Boydston, Rick

Submitted to: Crop Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/27/2012
Publication Date: 10/24/2012
Citation: Johnson, D., Baker, R., Boydston, R.A. 2012. Field evaluation of mint mutant and hybrid lines for resistance to Verticillium wilt and yield. Crop Protection. 43:1-6.

Interpretive Summary: Verticillium wilt is the major limiting disease of peppermint. Mutant peppermint lines have been developed that show resistance to Verticillium wilt in greenhouse trials and were tested in two field trials over multiple years. Verticillium willt varied among peppermint lines and standard cultivars and was significantly less severe for lines 87M0109-1, 84M0107-7, and M90-11 than for the commercial standard Black Mitcham peppermint in 2002 and 2003. Verticillium wilt was significantly less severe for mutant line M83-14 and for standard Murray Mitcham than for Black Mitcham in 2003 and 2004. At the completion of first trial, fresh hay yields of both peppermint hybrids 87M0109-1 and 84M0107-7 and peppermint mutant M90-11 were significantly higher than the standards Black Mitcham and Murray Mitcham. Oil yield in the first trial of standard Black Mitcham declined in years 3 and 4, while the decline in oil yield was less dramatic with the other four peppermint lines. In the second trial, hay yields of both B90-9 and M83-14 were comparable to, but not significantly different than Black Mitcham and Redefined Murray Mitcham. Verticillium resistance rating of these peppermint lines and cultivars in a previous greenhouse study were highly correlated with the Verticillium wilt rating of these lines and cultivars the second and third years of the two field trials and demonstrate that Verticillium wilt resistance and yield can be improved in peppermint cultivars and form a basis for managing the disease.

Technical Abstract: Severity of Verticillium wilt varied significantly among mint lines and cultivars in the inoculated and non-inoculated sub-plots in two field trials. Verticillium wilt was significantly less severe for mutant lines 87M0109-1, 84M0107-7, and M90-11 than for Black Mitcham in 2002 and 2003. Verticillium wilt was significantly less severe for mutant line M83-14 and for Murray Mitcham than for Black Mitcham in 2003 and 2004. At the completion of first trial, fresh hay yields of both peppermint hybrids 87M0109-1 and 84M0107-7 and peppermint mutant M90-11 were significantly higher than the standards Black Mitcham and Redefined Murray Mitcham. Oil yield in the first trial of standard Black Mitcham declined in years 3 and 4, while the decline in oil yield was less dramatic with the other four peppermint lines. In the second trial, hay yields of both B90-9 and M83-14 were comparable to, but not significantly different than Black Mitcham and Redefined Murray Mitcham. Line 92(B-37xM0101)-1 yielded significantly less oil than all peppermint lines including both standards Black Mitcham and Redefined Murray Mitcham in six of the seven cuttings in the second trial. Verticillium rating of the lines and cultivars inoculated in trials in a previous greenhouse study were highly correlated with the Verticillium wilt rating of the lines and cultivars the second and third years of field trials when inoculated. Verticillium wilt resistance and yield can be improved in commercial mint cultivars and form a basis for managing the disease.