AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Daniel T. Dalton for the degree of Master of Science in Horticulture presented on April 7, 2009. Title: Disease Resistance and Spring Phenological Characteristics of Ribes L. Germplasm Abstract approved: __________________________________________________ Kim E. Hummer North American cultivation of Ribes L. may expand as small fruit growers seek species to diversify horticultural crops. The Ribes industry was suppressed for decades out of fear that cultivated black currants and gooseberries would intensify the fungal disease white pine blister rust (WPBR) on five-needle pine (Pinus L. section Quinquefoliae) species. These pines were historically vital to the timber industry. Today, plant breeders seek to strengthen the Ribes small fruit industry through production of material suitable for North American conditions. Paramount to this effort is the development of resistance against major pests and diseases. Growers must be able to recognize the attributes of available genotypes prior to field establishment. The objectives of this research were to determine disease resistance and phenological characteristics of Ribes selections at the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR) in Corvallis, Oregon. Since the early 1930’s, plant breeders have used immune black currant (R. nigrum L.) germplasm as a control tactic against the exotic WPBR, caused by the basidiomycete fungus Cronartium ribicola J.C. Fischer. In 1999, a seedling population was generated at the NCGR from a cross involving susceptible pistillate R. nigrum ‘Ben Lomond’ and immune staminate parent R. ussuriense Jancz. × R. nigrum ‘Consort.’ To test the inheritance of resistance in the F1 population, aeciospore and urediniospore treatments were applied in 2008 to single-leaf softwood cuttings under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Resistant F1 phenotypes segregated in a 1:1 ratio consistent with the pattern of simple dominant inheritance of a single gene. Artificial inoculations testing aeciospore and urediniospore infectivity produced equivalent disease severity in the experimental Ribes genotypes. Resistance to the native powdery mildew fungus, Podosphaera mors-uvae (Schwein.) U. Brown and S. Takamatsu, was also evaluated in the F1 population. Individuals segregated for resistance in a 1:3 ratio after exposure to elevated disease pressure in the greenhouse. Fifteen F1 genotypes were resistant to both fungal pathogens and are candidates for further breeding trials. In a second study, five years of spring phenological survey data were analyzed using a growing degree-day (GDD) model, with the objective to identify cultivars adapted to North American conditions. Ribes section Calobotrya was the earliest group to reach “first bloom,” followed sequentially by R. ×nidigrolaria Bauer hybrid species, section Symphocalyx, section Grossularia, section Ribes, and lastly, section Botrycarpum. Early and late-flowering accessions were identified for each taxon. © Copyright by Daniel T. Dalton April 7, 2009 All Rights Reserved Disease Resistance and Spring Phenological Characteristics of Ribes L. Germplasm by Daniel T. Dalton A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Presented April 7, 2009 Commencement June 2009 Master of Science thesis of Daniel T. Dalton presented on April 7, 2009. APPROVED: Major Professor, representing Horticulture Head of the Department of Horticulture Dean of the Graduate School I understand that my thesis will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my thesis to any reader upon request. Daniel T. Dalton, Author ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To express my appreciation toward all the folks who have embellished my graduate school experience would take more space than is provided. I am foremost indebted to my academic advisor, Dr. Kim Hummer, who enthusiastically provided support and project suggestions from day one. In addition to academic collaboration, you have introduced me to the field and the people of horticultural research. To the members of my committee, Dr. Chris Mundt, Dr. John Lambrinos, and Dr. Jeff Stone, your willingness to listen and timely feedback has been invaluable in the progression of my project. A well- deserved thank you goes to the scientists and staff at the NCGR, particularly Joseph Postman, whose devotion to pomology and plant pathology goes unmatched, and Jim Oliphant, who provided continual insight into the qualities of superior germplasm. April Nyberg, Missy Fix, Jack Peters, Dennis Vandeveer, Joe Snead, Bruce Bartlett, Yvonne Pedersen, Jeanine DeNoma, Doug Cook, Dr. Barbara Reed, and Dr. Nahla Bassil continually pushed me to reach my capabilities. My acknowledgements would be incomplete without giving thanks to the several graduate students and friends I have come to know over the past three years. Particular recognition goes to Mike Russell, who was eager to help when it came time to resolve complicated statistical and computer programming issues. The companionship of my graduate colleagues Vidyasagar Sathuvalli, Michael Dossett, Wambui Njuguna, Sugae Wada, Esther Uchendu, Amy Garrett, Erin Schroll, Miles Barrett, Handell Larco, Ebba Peterson, Jessica Green, Al Shay, Robin Mulvey, Levi Fredrikson, Ronjon Datta, Laurel Moulton, Betsey Miller, and countless others has been priceless relief from the rigors of academic pursuit. My sincere appreciation goes to the faculty and staff in the Department of Horticulture and Botany & Plant Pathology for their willingness to share conversations and ideas, even on spontaneous notice. And finally, I owe a debt of gratitude toward my family: Mom and Dad, your unwavering moral support through not only my graduate studies, but indeed throughout my entire life, has been an unmatched gift to help me develop academically and personally. Aaron and Brandon, I cannot bear to think where I would be without the years of wisdom and insights of my accomplished brothers. And Petrina, my rock, your motivated personality and willingness to stand by my side no matter the obstacle has given me the confidence to face the most adverse of situations. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 A REVIEW OF Ribes AND STEM RUSTS ..……………. 1 1.1 Ribes Taxonomy ..……………………………..….. 2 1.2 Ribes Crop Culture .…………………………..…… 8 1.3 Recent Developments in Black Currant Breeding ………………………….. 12 1.4 Stem Rust Diversity …………………………..….. 17 1.5 White Pine Blister Rust in Europe ..……………… 25 1.6 White Pine Blister Rust in North America ..……… 27 1.7 Early Control Efforts in North America …….…… 30 1.8 Life Cycle of C. ribicola ………………………..… 32 1.9 Ribes Synergism ……………………………….…. 36 1.10 Wave Years of Disease Spread ………………….. 38 1.11 Control Efforts to Combat WPBR ……………..…. 41 1.12 References ………………………………………... 47 2 INHERITANCE OF THE Cr RESISTANCE GENE IN Ribes nigrum ‘BEN LOMOND’ × ‘CONSORT’ …..… 67 2.1 Abstract …………………………………………… 68 2.2 Introduction ……………………………………..… 69 2.3 Materials and Methods ……………………………. 76 2.4 Results …………………………………………..… 86 2.5 Discussion …………………………………..…….. 90 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page 2.6 Conclusions ……………………………………….. 95 2.7 References ………………………………………… 98 3 Ribes BLOOM PHENOLOGY IN A DIVERSE FIELD GENEBANK ……………………………………... 122 3.1 Abstract …………………………………… ………123 3.2 Introduction ……………………………………….. 124 3.3 Materials and Methods ……………………………. 126 3.4 Results and Discussion ………………………….... 129 3.4.1 Botrycarpum …………………………….... 131 3.4.2 Calobotrya ………………………………... 133 3.4.3 Grossularia ……………………………….. 133 3.4.4 Ribes ………………………………………. 135 3.4.5 Symphocalyx ……………………………… 136 3.4.6 R. ×nidigrolaria …………………………... 136 3.5 Conclusions ……………………………………….. 137 3.6 References ………………………………………… 141 4 SUMMARY ………………………………………………. 166 Bibliography ……………………………………………………… 170 Appendices ………………………………………………………... 184 Appendix Table 2.1 ……………………………………..… 184 Appendix Table 2.2 ….…………………………………… 247 Appendix Table 2.3 ….…………………………………… 250 Appendix Table 3.1 ….…………………………………… 251 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1.1 Disease cycle of white pine blister rust …………..……….. 66 2.1 Field layout of F1 seedling genotypes at the USDA-ARS NCGR …...………………………………….. 102 2.2 Visual ratings of disease severity …………………………. 103 2.3 Signs of WPBR at the DGRC field sites …………….……. 106 2.4 Percent susceptible genotypes across treatments …………. 107 2.5 Maximum disease severity ratings of susceptible F1 genotypes and ‘Seabrook’s Black’ ………………….… 115 2.6 Comparison of disease susceptibility in F1 population by spore type and disease severity ………………………... 121 3.1 Leaf emergence and bloom patterns of Ribes sections and intersectional hybrids ………………………………… 145 3.2 Springtime heat accumulation in Corvallis, Oregon ……… 146 3.3 Annual variation in timing of median first bloom of Ribes cultivars ………………………………………..…148 3.4 10-year weather data at CRVO meteorological station …... 149 3.5 Botrycarpum spring phenology patterns ……………….…. 150 3.6 Calobotrya spring phenology patterns ………………….… 155 3.7 Grossularia spring phenology patterns …………… ……... 156 3.8 Ribes spring phenology patterns ……………………….…. 161 3.9 Symphocalyx spring phenology patterns ……………….…. 164 3.10 Ribes ×nidigrolaria spring phenology patterns ………….. 165 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1.1 Subgeneric and sectional relationships within genus Ribes ………………………………………... 59 1.2 United States federal and state restrictions on Ribes …….. 61 2.1 Summary of 2008 inoculation trials and spore sources