Leptosphaeria maculans avirulence management for durable control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape

摘要

The stability and durability of resistance genes in cultivars of arable crops grown commercially over several seasons depends upon the biology of the pathogen and its propensity to undergo mutation and recombination, particularly at avirulence loci.Pathogen avirulence management has been used for disease control in various crops, particularly against powdery mildew and rust diseases of cereals. New research is providing information on the population structure of Leptosphaeria maculans (cause of phoma stem canker of oilseed rape) in different regions and the resistance genes present in the host crop. This information could enable diversification in oilseed rape planting to decrease the risk of severe phoma stem canker epidemics and delay the changes in the L. maculans populations that lead to single gene resistance becoming ineffective. Integration of avirulence management with cultural practices that decrease disease severity can reduce inoculum production for the following season. This integration of control strategies can increase the durability of resistance. This review summarises recent research relating to this approach and draws extensively on papers that were recently published in a special edition of the European Journal of Plant Pathology;"Sustainable strategies for managing Brassica napus (oilseed rape) resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker)and as a book (Springer publisher, ISBN: 1402045247).