A Plant Mixture Model Against Plasmopara Halstedii (Sunflower Downy Mildew)
Sunflower downy mildew caused by Plasmopara halstedii is one of the most potentially important diseases. So far, a complete, major gene resistance (Pl) has been used successfully. But, with the appearance of eight races in France since 2000, research on more durable resistance was undertaken. In this study, we presented new results concerning the evolution of pathogenicity in P. halstedii under conditions of re-enforced infection and different Pl gene selection pressure. Moreover, we studied the evolution of virulence and aggressiveness of P. halstedii under a mixture model of sunflower inbred lines carrying the two types of resistance (qualitative and quantitative). This sunflower model may enhance durable resistance against P. halstedii.