Breeding for Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum vasinfectum- Race 4 in Upland Cotton
Abstract
Fusarium oxysporum vasinfectum- race 4 (FOV4) was identified in California cotton production in the 1990’s. The discovery of FOV4 in El Paso County prompted researchers to evaluate resistance to it in upland cotton varieties. This project’s first objective was to screen for disease resistance in Texas A&M University Cotton Improvement Lab material through replicated field trials. Screening methodologies were used to evaluate material performance under FOV4-infested conditions. The second objective focused on evaluating screening methodologies for effectiveness in identifying the most disease resistant material. Regarding the first objective, 16 lines placed in advanced testing as of 2020 exhibited promise for FOV4 resistance/ tolerance. Additionally, progeny rows continued to be screened for resistance. Concerning the second objective, I found that only using root staining as a method for evaluating FOV4 resistant material, was not as effective as including NDVI and disease incidence along with root staining for identifying FOV4 resistance. Overall, continued advanced testing is needed to confirm resistance and tolerance in breeding lines. If genotypes consistently perform well in each screening method, then they can be considered as resistant or tolerant to FOV4.
Citation
Lakey, Caitlin Samantha (2021). Breeding for Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum vasinfectum- Race 4 in Upland Cotton. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /196034.