Pathogenic variation of Cladosporium caryigenum isolates and corresponding differential resistance in pecan

Abstract

To facilitate the breeding of scab-resistant pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] cultivars, more information is needed about the pathogenic variation of the causal organism, Cladosporium caryigenum (Ell. et Lang.) Gottwald (1982). This study examined the virulence patterns resulting from the field inoculations of 19 pecan cultivars with 12 monoconidial isolates from 8 pecan cultivars at 7 locations. The virulence pattern was different for each of the fungal isolates. Each isolate was virulent on some cultivars and avirulent on others. Most isolates were most virulent on the cultivar of their origin and one or a few other cultivars. Several cultivars were resistant to most of the tested isolates. The results indicate a large pool of differential and ephemeral resistance to scab resides in the pecan germplasm. Microscopic examination of developing lesions suggests that resistance is mediated by the speed of plant cell wall modifications that limit the growth of subcuticular hyphae. This information will be useful in the selection of cultivars with functionally different resistance genes for use in designing cultivar mixtures or in breeding programs.