Preliminary screening of lentil for resistance to downy mildew

Abstract EN

Downy mildew, caused by Peronospora sp..

is a major problem of lentil in North Egypt.

A natural infection of downy mildew was observed during late vegetative growth in breeding nurseries at ICARDA Tel Hadya in 1994 following a period of cool, wet weather in February and March.

A total of 106 lines in replicated trials were scored for disease reaction.

Resistance was found in eight lines.

providing the first report of genetic variation in disease reaction.

Previously, control strategies for downy mildew were based on fungicide application and on crop management.

Although the results obtained require confirmation, they suggest that disease control through host-plant resistance is a possible alternative.