Scientists of the All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources. N. I. Vavilova (VIR) and the All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection (VIZR) Using molecular genetic and phytopathological methods, among domestic potato varieties, samples with complex resistance to the most harmful types of cyst-forming potato nematodes were identified.
Nematodes cause from 19 to 80% of potato yield losses, depending on the variety and the conditions of the year. Resting cysts of this pest remain viable in the soil for up to 30 years.
Now in Russia, state biotesting of varieties for nematode resistance is carried out only for one species - Globodera rostochiensis - a golden cyst-forming potato nematode and one pathotype - Ro1. In a number of neighboring countries, other pathotypes of Globodera rostochiensis (Ro3, Ro5), as well as another type of parasitic nematode, the pale potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, have been identified. Now it is very important to find domestic potato varieties with complex resistance.
The research material was 26 popular potato varieties from the VIR collection, bred in five Russian breeding centers, which are well adapted to various conditions in different regions of Russia.
As a result of the research, scientists have identified a number of varieties resistant to two G. rostochiensis pathotypes - Ro1 and Ro5, as well as several varieties resistant to both types of potato cyst nematodes - golden (G. rostochiensis) and pale (G. pallida). In addition, a number of DNA markers have been selected, the use of which in the molecular screening of varieties can increase the efficiency of sampling with complex resistance to parasitic nematodes.
The results are published in an article published in special room magazine Agronomydedicated to molecular genetic research in potato breeding.