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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » National Clonal Germplasm Repository » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #155091
Title: PEAR SCAB RESISTANCE IN PYRUS GERMPLASM

Author
item Postman, Joseph
item SPOTTS, R. - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
item CALABRO, J. - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Pear International Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2004
Publication Date: 2/3/2004
Citation: Postman, J.D., Spotts, R.A., Calabro, J. 2004. Pear scab resistance in pyrus germplasm [abstract]. Pear International Symposium, February 1-5, 2004, Stellenbosch, South Africa. pg. 38.

Interpretive Summary: Pear scab, a fungal disease, causes economic losses due to unmarketable fruit and increased costs for application of fungicides in most of the world's pear growing regions. A diverse group of 200 pear varieties from the pear collection maintained at the USDA-ARS germplasm repository in Corvallis was evaluated for resistance to the disease. Small potted trees were inoculated with fungal spores in the greenhouse, and the resulting infections were recorded. Orchard trees were also evaluated over a ten year period for natural infections. Some varieties were severely affected by scab, and others were almost entirely free of symptoms year after year. Asian pear varieties were found very resistant to pear scab in western Oregon. This study has identified pear varieties that may be grown without chemical control. These pear varieties will be useful for breeders to use as parents to help develop new resistant pear varieties.

Technical Abstract: The 1800 Pyrus clones at USDA-ARS-NCGR-Corvallis represent world diversity for pears. A 'core' subset of 31 Asian cultivars, 119 European cultivars, 8 hybrid cultivars, and 45 species selections was evaluated for resistance to pear scab caused by Venturia pirina Aderh. Three potted, grafted trees of each core accession were artificially inoculated, and grown under greenhouse conditions ideal for infection. Orchard trees were evaluated during 10 years for natural fruit scab (FS), and during 3 years for percent of leaves with leaf scab (LS). FS was rated on a scale of 1 to 9 (1 = no scab). Only 34 clones produced leaf symptoms following greenhouse inoculation, however 24 of these also rated high for natural LS in the field. All Asian cultivars were nearly free of both FS and LS. No Asian cultivar had a mean FS rating greater than 4, and 42% had no scab or negligible ratings. Thirty eight percent of European cultivars had mean FS ratings >4, and 8% had no scab or negligible scab. Average LS incidence was 3.4% of leaves for European cultivars compared to 0.4% for Asian cultivars. More than 64% of European cultivars had >1% LS. European cultivars with negligible FS and LS include 'Arganche,' 'Batjarka,' 'Brandy,' 'Erabasma,' 'Muscat,' and 'Passe Crassane.' Incidence of both FS and LS in hybrid cultivars was intermediate between that of Asian and European cultivars. Most species selections had negligible FS, except P. cordata which rated 5. Of 23 European cultivars rated high for FS, 21 also had >1% LS. This study has identified pear cultivars that may be grown without chemical scab control, and that may be useful as parents in breeding for resistance.