Effect of the selection on the degree of resistance to Alternaria alternata f. ssp. steviae in breeding origins of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.)

Ilia Uchkunov, Veselin Uchkunov, Kulka Uchkunova

Abstract: An important task of the breeding is the creation of resistant varieties to the economically important diseases, causing damages on the production qualities. The stevia plant is object of attacks of a small number of pathogens, compared to other crops. As an important disease could be determined the Alternaria alternata f. ssp. steviae, whose agent damage the seeds and the root system, as well as the green parts of the plant – leaves, stems, branches. The control of the disease by prophylactic treatments with fungicides in case of local infestation is not recommended because of the application of stevia as a drug. One of the most efficient ways of control is the selection of resistant varieties. The aim of the present study is to estimate the efficiency of the selection for different stevia origins.

Keywords: alternaria; diseases; selection; stevia

Date published: 2017-08-03