Monitoring virulence and sexual compatibility in Brazilian Bremia lactucae populations

Abstract

During the winter, there is a high occurrence of downy mildew on lettuce caused by Bremia lactucae. This oomycete shows variability in virulence, so understanding the genetic structure of the pathogen population becomes essential for obtaining resistant cultivars. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine sexual compatibility in Brazilian populations of B. lactucae and investigate the occurrence of sexual reproduction of the pathogen on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola). Leaf samples were collected in 33 municipalities in seven Brazilian states. The virulence structure of the populations was monitored using the EU-C sextet code. B. lactucae populations from the states of São Paulo, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, and Rio Grande do Sul shared six of the 15 virulence factors evaluated. Twenty-five virulence phenotypes (v-phenotypes) were found, with the sextet codes 31-00-02, 31-16-02, 31-24-02, and 31-01-02 being more frequent. The predominance of some v- phenotypes indicates that clonal reproduction is still the main form of B. lactucae propagation. The genes and resistance factors of the cultivars Argelès (Dm38), Balesta, and Bartoli are recommended as suitable sources of lettuce resistance in Brazil. Natural occurrence of oospores was detected in most sampled locations, in lettuce and prickly lettuce plants. Virulence variability of Brazilian isolates is the result of the pathogen's ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually, with a prevalence of homothallic isolates; although the majority were of the predominant B2 mating type, there was a high incidence of predominant B1 in addition to B1 = B2.