Abstract
Early and late leafspot of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), caused by Cercospora arachidicola Hon and Cercosporidium personation (Berk. & Curt.) Deighton, respectively, are disease problems of major significance throughout the world. Leafspot control strategies using fungicides can result in a 10% increase in production costs. Field screening tests were conducted in 1980 and 1981 to identify breeding lines with resistance to leafspot Nine genotypes from a cross between Chico x Florigiant and the reciprocal cross were compared with Florigiant for relative susceptibility to the leafspot fungi. Variation in leafspot resistance, especially to C. arachidicola, was found in the peanut germplasm tested. High yielding genotypes with greater resistance to leafspot than Florigiant were identified. Differences in leafspot susceptiblity from reciprocal cross populations indicate that a cytoplasmic factor and additive genetic effects may control leafspot resistance.
Author notes
1Contribution from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, and the Tidewater Research Center, Research Division, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Suffolk, Virginia 23437. Mention of a specific commercial cultivar or chemical product does not constitute endorsement by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.