Development of apple powdery mildew on sources of resistance to Podosphaera leucotricha, exposed to an inoculum virulent against the major resistance gene Pl-2

The major resistance gene Pl-2 in apple has recently been shown to be overcome by a virulent population of powdery mildew, Podosphaera leucotricha, in genotypes of the fourth generation after introgression of Pl-2 from crab apple, Malus zumi. Tests of pathogenicity in controlled conditions and observations in an orchard showed that the initial progenitor of Pl-2, MAL 68/1, was overcome by a virulent inoculum. As a consequence, all selections derived from MAL 68/1 may lose their resistance to powdery mildew, if Pl-2 is used alone. Sources of resistance other than Pl-2 remained efficient to the virulent population: M. hupehensis, M. mandshurica, M. robusta, M. sargentii, M. sieboldii, D12, Mildew Immune Selection and 'White Angel'. The combination of Pl-2 with quantitative resistance genes resulted in a high level of resistance.