Resistance of several strawberry cultivars against three different pathogens

In addition to the agronomical characteristics of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), strawberry breeding programs should take into account its resistance to pathogens. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the resistance of strawberry cultivars against crown and root rot caused by Phytophthora cactorum (Lebert & Cohn) J. Schrot., Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb. and V. albo-atrum Reinke et Berth., and angular leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas fragariae Kennedy and King, all of which are important diseases in strawberry plant nurseries in Spain. Ten strawberry cultivars were used for resistance testing against P. cactorum; nine cultivars were used for resistance testing against V dahliae and V. albo-atrum; and eight strawberry cultivars were used for resistance testing against two strains of X. fragariae, IVIA349.9a and NCPPB 1469. These assays were conducted under greenhouse conditions for P. cactorum, and under growth chamber conditions for V dahliae and V albo-atrum and X fragariae. 'Sabrosa', was classified as being resistant to P. cactorum and V dahliae and V albo-atrum and only 'Sieger' was classified as being resistant to both strains of X fragariae. These results emphasize the importance of screening for disease resistance before using strawberry cultivars in commercial strawberry production in Spain.