Variation in Alnus glutinosa susceptibility to Phytophthora ×alni infection and its geographic pattern in the Czech Republic

Variation in natural susceptibility of the black alder population to Phytophthora ×alni (PA), the oomycete pathogen causing a devastating disease of alder, and its possible relationship to geographic origin, was studied in vitro using branch inoculation tests. Ninety black alder genotypes from different regions of the Czech Republic and two isolates of PA were employed. Host susceptibility varied significantly. After 1 week of infection, the lesion surface areas ranged from 254 to 2051 mm² and from 19 to 970 mm² for the two isolates, respectively. The differences were also dependent on the geographical origin and altitude of the sites from which particular host genotypes were taken. These findings have important implications for restoration plantings and for PA resistance breeding programmes, as there is potential to make selections from natural populations.