Evaluation of Apple genotype resistance to european canker disease caused by Neonectria ditissima

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Biodiversity, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, 7631885356, Iran

10.30466/rip.2023.54611.1271

Abstract

European canker disease of fruit trees, caused by Neonectria ditissima, is one of the most important diseases of apple trees in northern Iran and has caused considerable damage to this crop. Given the economic importance of this strategic crop in the country, there is a need for a reliable method capable of differentiating resistant and susceptible cultivars within a short period. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify such a method, followed by an evaluation of the phenotypic variation in resistance to European canker disease among 26 different apple cultivars. In this experiment, one-year-old detached branches were collected from mature apple trees. Artificial inoculation was performed using a fungal suspension, and disease progression and development were measured at predetermined time intervals. Disease incidence and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) were calculated. The results obtained using both disease incidence and AUDPC were approximately similar for the identification of resistant and susceptible cultivars in detached branches, indicating that these statistical methods are effective for ranking resistance to this pathogen among apple cultivars. In addition, the use of detached branches can be applied for preliminary screening of cultivars with minimal influence from environmental conditions for further studies. Braeburn showed the highest resistance, whereas Idared showed the highest susceptibility to canker disease. ‘Golden Delicious’ was also classified among the relatively resistant cultivars. These potentially disease-resistant cultivars can be used in future breeding programs.

Keywords

References

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Research in Pomology
Volume 9, Issue 1
November 2024
Pages 194-203

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