M. Nasr Esfahani, B. Ansari Pour,
Volume 12, Issue 45 (fall 2008)
Abstract
Pink root-rot disease caused by Pyrenochaeta terrestris is one of the serious diseases of onion fields in Iran and the world. The use of resistant cultivars might be a good alternative as suggested on the basis of the screening at the near end of growing season. The susceptibility assessment of 43 Iranian onion clones in glass-house condition in Isfahan for the last two successive years i.e. 2003-04 indicated that, the clones react independently with various degrees of resistance to the pink root-rot disease and with a high significant effect. The scoring scale was of 0-3 to determine the susceptibility and/or resistance of the clones to the disease, out of which, the two clones, Ramhormoz-Saffiabad and Balochestan-Sarbaz were the most susceptible clones to the pink root-rot disease, and were placed in 2-3 (0-3) scale. But most of the clones were placed in the scoring scale 1-2 (0-3) indicating that they are in the ranges of tolerance. This could be why they still exist and could tolerate the disease and remain safe. The third and/or the resistant clones are those clones that were placed in the scoring scale of 0-1 (0-3), i.e. Naishabor-Ishaghabad, Sarri-Local, Loosha-Golden, Zanjan-Ghotigheseh, Shahrood- local, Azarbayejan-East, Shahrood-Lasjerd, Kashan-White, Yazd-Marvdasht, Azarshahr-Red and Boshehr-Local, respectively. In fact, the two clones Naishabor-Ishaghabad and Sarri-local are the most resistant ones to the pink root-rot disease of onion in these tests. These results indicate that there are certain clones which can be considered in breeding programs and/or cultivations.
