VIEW ARTICLE

Use of Mobile Nurseries in Pathogenicity Studies of Erysiphe graminis hordei on Hordeum spontaneum. Z. Eyal, Division of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Tel Aviv University, Israel, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA; Ruth Yurman(2), J. G. Moseman(3), and I. Wahl(4). (2)(3)Division of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Tel Aviv University, Israel, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA; (4)Agricultural Research Center, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA. Phytopathology 63:1330-1334. Accepted for publication 3 April 1973. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-1330.

“Mobile nurseries” consisting of small trays with seedlings of barley representing a diversified spectrum of resistance were used to determine the pathogenic variability of Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei in Israel. The trays were placed for several days at 69 sites across the country in stands of Hordeum spontaneum where powdery mildew incidence accompanied by abundant formation of cleistothecia has been observed for several years in succession. Subsequently, the trays were transferred to the greenhouse where infection types were scored at the end of the incubation period. Wide variations in pathogenicity were noted, not only among cultures obtained by countrywide sampling, but also among cultures derived from small stands of H. spontaneum heavily attacked by powdery mildew. “Mobile nurseries” also aided in detecting rare but dangerous strains of the pathogen virulent on important sources of resistance to powdery mildew, such as ‘Engledow India’, ‘Monte Cristo’, ‘Rupee’, and ‘Spiti’.