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Aggressiveness study on Sclerotinia isolates from red clover crops.
T Vleugels1, J Baert, E Van Bockstaele
1Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Plant Sciences Unit, Caritasstraat 21, BE-9090 Melle. tim.vleugels@ilvo.vlaanderen.be
Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences
|July 25, 2013
Summary
Aggressiveness of Sclerotinia trifoliorum isolates causing clover rot was assessed across Europe. This research aids in selecting potent isolates for red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) resistance breeding programs.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Agricultural Science
- Mycology
Background:
- Sclerotinia trifoliorum causes significant clover rot in European red clover crops.
- Limited data exists on Sclerotinia isolate aggressiveness, especially on a European scale.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the aggressiveness of 30 Sclerotinia trifoliorum isolates from 12 European countries.
- To identify highly aggressive isolates for future red clover resistance breeding.
Main Methods:
- A plant-based bio-assay was used to evaluate 30 Sclerotinia isolates.
- Red clover cultivars were inoculated with mycelium suspensions and disease severity was scored.
- Experiments were replicated to ensure reliability.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in aggressiveness were observed among Sclerotinia isolates.
- Cultivar susceptibility varied, but no isolate-cultivar interaction was detected.
- Average disease indices ranged from 52.6% to 82.7%.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully identified varying levels of Sclerotinia aggressiveness across European isolates.
- Results provide a basis for selecting aggressive isolates for red clover breeding programs.
- Further research should explore the mechanisms behind observed aggressiveness differences.
