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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #327174
Title: Initiative for international cooperation of researchers and breeders related to determination and denomination of cucurbit powdery mildew races

Author
item LEBEDA, ALES - Palacky University
item KRISTKOVA, EVA - Palacky University
item SEDLAKOVA, BOZENA - Palacky University
item McCreight, James - Jim

Submitted to: Cucurbitaceae Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/2016
Publication Date: 8/26/2016
Citation: Lebeda, A., Kristkova, E., Sedlakova, B., McCreight, J.D. 2016. Initiative for international cooperation of researchers and breeders related to determination and denomination of cucurbit powdery mildew races. In: Kozik, E.U., Paris, H.S., editors. Cucurbitaceae 2016, XIth Eucarpia Meeting on Genetics and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae, July 24-28, 2016, Warsaw, Poland. p. 148–152.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM) is caused most frequently by two obligate erysiphaceous ectoparasites, Golovinomyces orontii s.l. and Podosphaera xanthii, that are highly variable in virulence. Various independent systems of CPM race determination and denomination cause a chaotic situation in cucurbit research and resistance breeding (Lebeda et al. 2011. Mycoscience 52:15–164). We developed new tools to enhance research, communication and management of CPM races (see Lebeda et al. 2016. European J. Plant Pathol. 144:399–410) and proposed them for use by the international CPM research, breeding, seed and production community. The tools are: 1) a set of 21 differential genotypes of melon, Cucumis melo L., for the identification of CPM races; 2) a triple-part, septet code for meaningful, concise designation of CPM races; 3) protocols for maintenance of CPM isolates, differential genotypes, and laboratory assays; 4) rules and principles of practical application of this system in breeding, seed production and cucurbit growing, and a proposal for a race denomination suitable for practical application; 5) crucial activities leading to the implementation and running of new tools for CPM research and management. The adoption of the proposed system is based on the following three, equally important components that form a complete system, none of which can be omitted: 1) adoption of differential host genotypes; 2) equal consideration of the two major CPM pathogens and acceptance of the unified system of determination, description and denomination of races for each CPM species; 3) establishment of a cucurbit crop and CPM expert panel as a coordination group, as well as an international CPM race network. There remains a need for urgent additional discussion among the international community of CPM researchers and cucurbit breeders about these proposals.