Maternal differences for the reaction to ergot in unfertilized hybrid rye (Secale cereale)

Abstract Claviceps purpurea causing ergot maintains to be a problem in commercial cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS)-based hybrid rye growing. The fungal spores compete with pollen during flowering and incidence is reduced highly pollen-shedding stands. This study was carried out identify maternal differences infection the absence of pollen. Ten male-sterile single crosses were tested by needle spray inoculation kept unfertilized up four field sites (Germany, Austria) three greenhouse experiments, respectively, two years. A medium high correlation observed between (needle inoculation) (spray experiments. environments (=location × year combinations) differed their severity incidence. Significant ( P ? 0.05) genotypic genotype environment interaction variances detected for both test systems traits. cross K_4 showed significantly lower averaged across all environments, thus being more resilient than other genotypes. In conclusion, are suitable testing materials, several (locations, years) definitely necessary. Selection specific females might give potential further reducing contamination future. frequency such genotypes within larger breeding populations needs analyzed.