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Race-specific response of Cucurbita germplasm to Pseudoperonospora cubensis

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Abstract

The host range of Pseudoperonospora cubensis, the causal agent of cucurbit downy mildew, includes many taxa of the Cucurbitaceae. Little is known of the interactions of this pathogen with wild and weedy Cucurbita species, the genus encompassing two important crops, pumpkin and squash. Interactions of 97 Cucurbita spp. accessions, mostly wild and weedy forms representing 10 species, with 11 P. cubensis isolates originating from Cucumis sativus were studied by using a leaf-disc method under controlled conditions. Among the 97 accessions, 57 distinct reaction patterns were observed. Fifteen accessions were resistant and 12 susceptible to all 11 pathogen isolates. Within-accession, heterogeneous reactions were observed in only nine interactions. Of the 15 accessions resistant to all pathotypes, 13 were wild and weedy C. argyrosperma. Reactions of Cucurbita spp. to P. cubensis are race-specific. The development of methodology for P. cubensis race determination and denomination should include a differential set of genotypes for each species separately. C. argyrosperma, which is partially cross-compatible with the economically important C. pepo, offers a potential source for breeding downy mildew-resistant squash and pumpkins.

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Acknowledgments

The support of the following Grants is acknowledged: MSM 6198959215 (Czech Ministry of Education); QH71229 (NAZV, National Agency for Agricultural Research of the Czech Republic); IGA-2016-001 (Internal Grant Agency of Palacký University in Olomouc); and the authors are most grateful for the assistance of Ms. Kathleen Reitsma, North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, Ames, Iowa, U.S.A., who was instrumental in selecting and obtaining the Cucurbita spp. accessions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71, Olomouc-Holice, Czech Republic

    Aleš Lebeda, Eva Křístková, Jana Roháčková & Božena Sedláková

  2. Departments of Horticulture and of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Mark P. Widrlechner

  3. Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Newe Ya‘ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishay, Israel

    Harry S. Paris

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  1. Aleš Lebeda
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  2. Eva Křístková
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  3. Jana Roháčková
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  4. Božena Sedláková
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  5. Mark P. Widrlechner
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  6. Harry S. Paris
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Correspondence to Aleš Lebeda.

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Lebeda, A., Křístková, E., Roháčková, J. et al. Race-specific response of Cucurbita germplasm to Pseudoperonospora cubensis . Euphytica 212, 145–156 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-016-1783-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-016-1783-2

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