Screening of peas for resistance to Fusarium wilt and root rot (Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani)

In the introduction to this chapter, two fungal pathogens (Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum) are reviewed from the viewpoint of their incidence, importance, symptoms, mode of infection, harmfullness for peas, and known resistance resources. Further, this chapter gives detailed information about the screening of germplasm and plant breeding material, including the methods of pathogen isolation, cultivation and maintenance, preparation of plant material for screening and inoculum preparation. Three types of laboratory screening methods (tube tests, seed soaking test, root submersion test) are described. The results of testing are assessed via root and shoot symptom expression and further evaluated as a degree of infection. In F. oxysporum f. sp. pisi, six races are described, including the reaction to them on a set of differential genotypes. Finally, practical applications of these screening methods are summarised. (author)