Additional evaluations of Cucumis melo L. germplasm for resistance to downy mildew

Abstract

Field evaluations for resistance against downy mildew, incited by Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. and M.A. Curtis) Rostovzev were conducted on 1076 U.S. Plant Introductions (PI) of Cucumis melo L. (melon). A disease index (DI) was calculated for each entry that had one or more resistant plants. Based on DI, PIs 271329 and 401644 were the most resistant overall (DI = 2.6 and 2.8, respectively). However, resistant plants exhibiting reaction type (RT) 3 were identified in 68 accessions, and 110 accessions had moderately resistant (RT 2) plants.