Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXI
Written by Gabriel Florin ANTON, Maria JOIȚA-PĂCUREANU, Luxiţa RÎŞNOVEANU, Călina Petruţa CORNEA, Mihaela POPA

The virulence of the downy mildew pathogen increased during the last period and new virulent races of this fungus appear. Thus it is essential to know data about the presence and distribution of the pathotypes. In Europe, an increasing number of the pathotypes, have been identified. In Romania we identified eight races of the pathogen. They are not present in all areas cultivated with sunflower, in some areas being present only five races, in other six or seven. Using the sources of resistance to Plasmopoara halstedii pathogen, for the most virulent races present now in Europe we have introduced genes of resistance in the best lines from our germplasm collection. The testing of some sunflower hybrids with different degree of resistance to downy mildew has showed that there is difference in the pathogen attack degree, depending on the climatic conditions in the years and locations.

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