Compounds of essential oils as markers of hop resistance (Humulus lupulus) to powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis)

Abstract

Field assessments of resistance to powdery mildew of 103 hop cultivars, analyses of hop essential oil and correlation between the score for powdery mildew and the relative percentage of essential oil compounds were performed over three years. Seven susceptibility markers (peaks 29 (methyl-5-methyl-hexanoate), 30 (myrcene), 34 (iso-amyl-iso-butyrate), 38 (1-8-cineole), 56 (methyl-octanoate), 88 (methyl decanoate) and 122 (undetermined peak)) and seven resistance markers (peaks 112 (santalene), 114 (germacrene-D), 118 (alpha-selinene), 138 (cariophylene epoxide), 26, 135 and 158 (undetermined peaks)) were selected from peaks with a positive or negative correlation between powdery mildew scores and their presence in the essential oil of extremely susceptible or resistance cultivars. The number and value of resistance/susceptibility markers decreased with an increase in the level of cultivar susceptibility/resistance. Susceptible cultivars mainly appeared to contain North American germplasm, while more resistant cultivars belong to European hops. Analysis of the presence/absence of the selected markers showed that the absence of susceptibility markers, particularly 30, 34 and 38, can be of practical value in resistance hop breeding.