Institut für Züchtungsforschung an gartenbaulichen Kulturen
Asparagus crown and root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum is considered a significant disease in cultivated Asparagus officinalis that leads to significant yield losses and premature dying of stocks (Asparagus decline). In practice, the problem is exacerbated by narrow crop rotations or direct replanting, mainly due to the limited availability of land. Evaluations of resistance to F. oxysporum in the global variety pool have so far been unsuccessful. Due to the restricted gene pool in asparagus, the chances of finding resistance are considered low. As early as 1964 resistance to F. oxysporum in the wild species Asparagus densiflorus, which is associated with a hypersensitivity reaction, was demonstrated. The results were confirmed in our own work. In addition, resistance was detected in A. aethiopicus. Attempts to transfer the resistances to the cultivated asparagus by conventional crossing were unsuccessful. This is also confirmed in the literature. The aim of the planned project is to create the conditions for carrying out somatic hybridizations between A. officinalis and the resistant donors A. densiflorus and A. aethiopicus in order to overcome the crossing barrier. The hybridization experiments should build on experiences from a previous project on somatic hybridization in asparagus. If it is possible to generate hybrid plants, they should be integrated into the introgression crossing program already established at the JKI. A resistance test is already available and is being further optimized.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
