Virulence of Blumeria graminis tritici in Serbia (2000-2009)

Abstract

Blumeria graminis tritici, the causal agent of powdery mildew is a regular and economically important disease of wheat in Serbia. Infection intensity varies depending on wheat variety, climate conditions and agricultural practices. Although there have been no epiphytotics in Serbia yet, this disease can play a significant role in the formation of yield. Successful wheat breeding for resistance to causal agent of powdery mildew is based on the identification of virulence and changes in the pathogen population. In Serbia, continual population surveys started in 196 I, when physiological races were identified, and they continued up to date. In the early 1970s, conventional investigations of physiological races were improved by introducing a survey of the virulence of pathogen populations, based on the interaction between resistance alleles and virulence according to the "gene-for- gene" theory.