M. Svobodová

The Main Topics of Resistance Breeding in Grasses in the Czech Republic

In the years 1995–2009 the incidence of important diseases in grasses grown for seed in the Czech Republic was investigated. The goal of the study was to find out whether there has been a significant increase in the level of resistance. Each year a total of 500 samples of 19 cultivated grass species were taken on 2,000–4,500 ha in various regions of the Czech Republic. Parasitic silver top (Fusarium poae) was detected in 13.8–48.1 % of the locations under observation, with a statistically insignificant downward trend of 0.19 % per year (P-value = 0.7518). Powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis), occurring in 9.9–40 % of the locations showed a significant downward trend of 1.2 % per year (P-value = 0.0373). Rusts (Puccinia spp., Uromyces spp.) were recorded on 4.0–33.4 % of the sites; the trend remained constant. Choke (Epichloe typhina) was found in 0.1–3.8 % of the locations, the incidence of choke showed a significantly upward trend of 0.19 % per year (P-value 0.0030). Leaf spots (predominantly caused by Cladosporium spp., Drechslera spp., Mastigosporium spp. etc.) occurred in 7.5–35.4 % of the locations (an decreasing incidence by 2 % per year, P-value= 0.0001).