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Genetic resistance as a strategy to control Phytophthora infestans in potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Abstract:

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most important food crops for the world population after rice, corn and wheat. The main limitation is late blight (Phytophthora infestans) that can cause total loss if proper and timely management is not carried out. P. infestans permanently mutates, appearing new and more aggressive races, because of the indiscriminate use of fungicides and the dispersion of materials around the world, where there are different environmental, soil and agronomic management conditions. One strategy for its control is through the integrated management of the disease, where genetic resistance is the base of this strategy. The present study evaluated the genetic resistance of improved varieties, native and advanced breeding clones of INIAP Ecuador, through the components of resistance: 1) lesion area (AL), 2) lesion growth rate (TCL), 3) latency period (PL), 4) sporulation intensity (IE) and 5) incubation period (PI). The genotypes studied showed great variability in the resistance expressed in its components, thus AL was between 0 and 111.50 mm2, TCL presented a range between 0 and 4.69 mm / day, PL obtained values from 5 to 10 days, IE from 0 to 3 and PI between 2 and 8 days. In this study, TCL was the component that most discriminated against materials with resistance, which is consistent with similar studies. This component might be used in preliminary research to identify resistance and some genotypes could be used as parents in a breeding program.