Evaluation of 277 carnation cultivars for resistance to bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas caryophylli)

Abstract

Bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas caryophylli) is one of the most important and damaging disease of carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) in Japan. It causes serious crop losses in carnations grown in the warm districts. However, breeding for resistance to this disease in carnation has been rarely carried out. Therefore, 277 carnation cultivars were screened for resistance to bacterial wilt by using the cut-root soaking method with an inoculum concentration of 107 cfu (colony-forming units)/ml. Two hundred seven cultivars (74.7%) were highly susceptible, whereas 3 cultivars, 'Wiko', 'Nocto', and 'Sandrosa' possessed adequate resistance.