Lkh. Johansson et S. Alstrom, Field resistance to willow leaf rust Melampsora epitea in inter- and intraspecific hybrids of Salix viminalis and S-dasyclados, EUR J PL P, 106(8), 2000, pp. 763-769
Families of interspecific hybrids between Salix dasyclados and S. viminalis
, and intraspecific hybrids of the two species, were monitored for rust inf
ection caused by Melampsora epitea during the years 1997-1999. The resistan
ce of interspecific hybrids was compared to intraspecific pure species half
sibs. In addition, uredospores were sampled from the most infected interspe
cific hybrids to determine whether rust from interspecific hybrids differed
from the rust spores that infected the pure species. The results from 1997
and 1999 showed that interspecific hybrids were more resistant than the in
traspecific pure species, thus exhibiting a pattern of hybrid resistance. I
n 1998 the interspecific hybrids showed intermediate resistance compared to
intraspecific pure species hybrids, i.e., an additive pattern of resistanc
e. The rust sampled from the interspecific hybrids consisted of the same ty
pes of rust that infect the pure species. Comparisons of weather conditions
prevailing during the three growing seasons indicated that these condition
s might play a role in the infection pattern, in addition to the level of s
ensitivity to infection shown by the plants.