Breeding for increased tolerance to black root rot in strawberry

Abstract

Black root rot (BRR) is a widespread disease of strawberry (Fragaria xananassa) that causes the death of feeder roots and the degradation of structural roots resulting in an overall decrease in productivity. Black root rot is primarily caused by Rhizoctonia fragariae Husain and W.E. McKeen, Pythium Pringsh., and Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) Filipjev and Schuurmans Stekhoven. A previous study identified varying levels of tolerance to BRR in strawberry cultivars with some having high levels of tolerance. In this study, progeny populations were created to determine the amount of genetic variability for BRR tolerance. Genotypes with high, intermediate, and low tolerance to BRR were crossed in a diallel mating scheme, progeny were planted in Vapam (metam sodium)-fumigated and nonfumigated soil, and were analyzed for yield parameters. The results showed significant differences for both treatment and family, but not for the interaction between treatment and family. Pathogen analysis indicated presence of fungal pathogens and nematodes in both fumigated and nonfumigated soil.