Determining Genotypic and Pathogenic Diversity Among Phytophthora Capsici Isolates for Establishing Sustainable Cropping Rotations

Project Overview

GNC02-006
Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2002: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Grant Recipient: University of Illinois
Region: North Central
State: Illinois
Graduate Student:
Donglan Tian
Faculty Advisor:
Mohammad Babadoost
Email
University of Illinois

Commodities

  • Fruits: melons
  • Vegetables: beans, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucurbits, eggplant, greens (leafy), lentils, onions, parsnips, peas (culinary), peppers, rutabagas, sweet corn, tomatoes, turnips

Practices

  • Crop Production: crop rotation
  • Pest Management: genetic resistance, prevention, general pest management

    Proposal abstract:

    Forty-five species of crop and weed plants were screened for their susceptibility to P. capsici. Twenty-two crop species succumbed to the disease, 14 did not. Pathogenicity tests in the greenhouse showed that Phytophthora capsici isolates were significantly less virulent on eggplant than they were on cucurbits, pepper, and tomato. Molecular study showed that there are significant differences in pathogenicity and genetics among isolates of P. capsici. The results of this research will help in establishing effective cropping rotations for management of P. capsici in vegetable and weed control, thus establishing sustainable vegetable, particularly cucurbit, production.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    The main objective of this study was to determine pathogenic diversity of P. capsici isolates for establishing sustainable pumpkin production in Illinois. The specific objectives of this research were:

    1. Determine the susceptibility of crops grown in rotation with cucurbits and weeds that commonly grow in cucurbit fields to P. capsici.

    2. Assess the virulence of P. capsici isolates on different pumpkin cultivars.

    3. Determine genetic and pathogenicity variation among isolates of P. capsici from Illinois.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.