Identification of fungal races that cause powdery mildew in melon (Cucumis melo L.) and selection of resistant commercial melon cultivars against the identified races in Korea

Abstract

Powdery mildew is an important disease of the melon (Cucumis melo L.). Seven isolates of powdery mildew fungi were collected from five locations in Korea; Anseong (DH487), Icheon (BN103, BN625, BN968), Yeongam (YA141), Changnyeong (CN582), and Suncheon (SN102). All 7 fungi had a similar trend of conidial chain and conidiophore development as Podosphaera xanthii with fibrosin bodies in mature conidia. Among them, 2 isolates of powdery mildew fungi; CN582 and SN102 showed similar responses to resistance against powdery mildew as the previously reported race 1 and race N2. The isolates YA141 and BN103 showed similar responses as like as race A. However, three isolates of powdery mildew fungi (BN625, BN968, and DH487) showed different responses compared to the previously reported races (1, N1, N2, A, S, and 5). Therefore, these three isolates could be designated as new races in melon. Nine out of 15 commercial melon cultivars in Korea showed resistance to race 1 (CN582). However, the new race BN968 invaded all 15 cultivars. Results of the two molecular markers were consistent in response to disease development by race 1 of Podosphaera xanthii in case of the above mentioned cultivars. This study confirmed the presence of new melon powdery mildew fungi in Korea which are similarly notorious as like as the previously reported race 1. Therefore, breeders can use these two molecular markers for breeding melon in Korea that is resistant to race 1 and as well as to some other races.