Screening Peanuts for Resistance to Sclerotinia Blight

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Abstract
Sclerotinia blight, caused by S. minor, results in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) crop losses of 4-6% annually in Virginia [USA]. S. minor attacks plant parts that are in contact with the soil, causing lesions on stems and branches as well as pod rot. Three field screening tests were conducted in 1977, 1978 and 1979 to identify resistant peanut genotypes. The genotypes ''Chico'', PI [plant introduction] 371521 and VA 71-347 exhibited a significantly lower incidence of Sclerotinia blight symptoms in 1977 field screening than ''Starr'', NC 17, ''Florigiant'' and 2 breeding lines. ''Chico'', NC 3033, VA 71-347 and VGP 1 exhibited significantly fewer Sclerotinia blight symptoms in 1978 field screening that GK 3, ''Early Bunch'', NC 6, ''Florigiant and 6 breeding lines. Under severe disease pressure, VA 71-347 had the highest value per hectare, being significantly higher than GK 3, ''Early Bunch'' and ''Florigiant''. In 1979, ''Chico'', NC 3033, VA 71-347 and VGP 1 exhibited significantly fewer Sclerotinia blight symptoms than 20 other entries, including ''Florigiant'', ''Tifrun'', NC 7 and Early Bunch''. VA 71-347 had a significantly higher yield and value per hectare than all other entries in 1979. The influence of plant canopy structure, morphological and physiologic aspects of resistance, use of multiline peanut cultivars to reduce genetic vulnerability, and multiple pest resistance as related to Sclerotinia blight are discussed.

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