Assessment of the resistance of inbred table beet lines to cercosporosis (Cercospora beticola Sacc.) in field and laboratory conditions

Abstract

Relevance. Cercospora leaf spot (Сercospora beticola) is a widespread disease of table beet that reduces the yield of root crops in many beet-growing regions. Annual losses from cercosporosis amount to 30-40%, and in the years of epiphytotic diseases – 50% or more. The fungus has a complex intraspecific structure, includes many pathotypes and races, which should be taken into account when breeding for resistance. The main method of creating resistant forms of table beet to C. beticola is the selection of cercospore-resistant lines in the natural manifestation of the disease and on artificial backgrounds. In open ground conditions, it is not always possible to assess the resistance of table beet to cercosporosis, since cercosporosis is weak in some hot and dry years. Therefore, laboratory assessment methods are important to accelerate the breeding process. The purpose of the research is to carry out an immunological analysis of beet lines in the field and laboratory conditions for the selection of sustainable material.Materials and methods. The assessment of beet variety samples for resistance to cercospora blight was carried out in open ground conditions on the basis of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable Growing – branch of the FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (Moscow region). In laboratory conditions, artificial infection of separated red beet leaves was carried out. The objects of the study were inbred lines of red beets of the 1st-6th generation.Results and discussion. As a result of evaluation and selection, red beet lines No. 713 and 790 with increased resistance to cercospora blight were identified. It has been established that for practical breeding it is necessary to constantly and strictly select for resistance to cercospora blight. In laboratory conditions, a method of artificial infection of separated leaves has been developed, which allows for a short period of time to carry out a preliminary assessment of a large number of beetroot samples for resistance to cercospora blight.