Late blight: genotypes and resistant varieties

Part of Agronomy Week 2020.

Dr David Cooke, James Hutton Institute
David’s information will, as usual, be hot from the lab for this AHDB Agronomy Week event. Agronomists are the first to learn about the pathogen genotypes and fungicide sensitivity across Great Britain over the unusual 2020 season. Dr Cooke will also review data from previous years to consider how varietal resistance can shape population change in the blight pathogen.

Dr Jack Vossen, Wageningen University and Research
Dr Vossen is international expert recognised for his research on the genetic resistance of potatoes to late blight. His presentation will cover sources of resistance genes and the challenges of incorporating these into varieties fit for the market. He will describe the field performance of varieties with single gene resistance and issues with its breakdown. He will address alternative sources of resistance and breeding methods for the future.

David Wilson, AHDB
At the Eurofins site in Derbyshire, AHDB had a demonstration of the effect of varietal resistance. Twelve varieties with resistance scores against foliar blight ranging from 2-9 were planted in two blocks, one with a strong fungicide programme and the other with a shorter and simpler spray regime. David will describe the results, both for late blight and Alternaria blight.

BASIS/NROSO points will not be available to claim for this session after 18 December 2020.

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