Open AccessResponse of Seashore Paspalum Genotypes to Two Isolates of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa
Author(s) -
Benda Nicole D.,
Flor Norma C.,
Harmon Phillip F.,
Kenworthy Kevin E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international turfgrass society research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2573-1513
DOI - 10.2134/itsrj2016.06.0474
Subject(s) - paspalum , biology , virulence , genotype , cultivar , plant disease resistance , horticulture , botany , veterinary medicine , genetics , gene , medicine
Seashore paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum Schwartz) is a warm‐season turfgrass noted for its salt tolerance and is used on golf course fairways and greens. Dollar spot ( Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Benn.) is an important disease of seashore paspalum, causing distinct silver dollar‐sized necrotic patches to form on the turf. Previous research by Flor et al. (2013) identified host plant resistance as a potential tool for dollar spot disease management using a single dollar spot isolate, UF0421. However, another isolate appeared more virulent in follow‐up experiments. With the intent of developing stronger selection pressure, disease response to these two characterized S. homoeocarpa isolates was compared in the current study under controlled environmental conditions using nine experimental lines of seashore paspalum and two commercial cultivars (‘SeaDwarf’ and ‘Sea Isle Supreme’) as controls. The second, putatively more virulent isolate consistently caused more damage to all 11 paspalum genotypes. An isolate × genotype interaction was not observed. Plant genotypes differed significantly in disease response, and all genotypes but one were consistent with the previous study. We successfully identified a more virulent strain of dollar spot. Using a more virulent strain will provide stronger selection pressure for development of resistance to dollar spot, allowing for clearer identification of resistant genotypes.