The development of lucerne with resistance to root rot in poorly aerated soils

Abstract

Three cycles of recurrent mass selection in the field increased the level of resistance of lucerne (Medicago sativa) to Phytophthora root rot in irrigated heavy clay soil at Deniliquin, New South Wales. The breeding stocks were derived from Siro Peruvian and Lahontan. In each cycle between 45 and 80 vigorous, disease free plants were selected from soil naturally infested with Phytophthora megasperma var. sojae, and allowed to interpollinate. Yield data and ratings for root rot were obtained for half-sib families sown in rows. Progeny in cycle 1 were inoculated by isolates of P. megasperma from both New South Wales and Queensland, and there was substantial agreement between both sources in ratings for disease. In the third cycle of selection, progeny had a disease rating of 1.4 when inoculated with Queensland isolates of P. megasperma, compared with 3.6 and 4.1 for Hunter River and Siro Peruvian respectively (plants scored 1 or 2 considered resistant; 3, 4 or 5 susceptible). In a field trial, the percentage of disease-free plants after eight months of growth in infested soil was: cycle 3 selections, 44.4; Hunter River, 9.9; Siro Peruvian, 12.0. Cumulative dry matter production of the selections during that time was twice that of Hunter River.