Detection and variability of Plasmopara halstedii in Brazil and resistance of sunflower genotypes to downy mildew

This research was carried out for identifying the physiological race of Plasmopara halstedii occurring in sunflower at the experimental field of Embrapa Soybean, Londrina, PR, Brazil, in 1998, 2001 and 2002 by evaluating the reaction of sunflower genotypes inoculated with downy mildew pathogen. Sunflower seedlings of the differentials set to identify races and of the cultivars were inoculated by immersion in zoosporangia suspension and were grown in autoclaved sand boxes. Seedlings were kept in growing chambers at 21oC for 11 days. After this period, plants were intensively misted with distilled water, covered with plastic bag, and kept in the dark at 18oC. In the next day, sporulation in cotyledons was observed. Plants with sporulation were considered susceptible and non-sporulated plants were resistant. Results indicated the occurrence of race 330 (former American race 7) in the three years evaluated. Sunflower genotypes Embrapa 122, BRS 191 and ornamental sunflower cultivars BRS Capri M, BRS Encanto M, BRS Oasis, BRS Paixao M, BRS Pesqueiro M, BRS Refugio M, BRS Saudade M and BRS Saudade U and respective parents were susceptible to P. halstedii race 330. The genotypes AGROBEL 910, AGROBEL 920, AGROBEL 960, AGROBEL 965, C11, EXP38, M734, M742 and RUMBOSOL 91 were resistant to that race and can be used by the growers in regions of high potential for disease occurrence.