1 July 2023 News
The International Bremia Evaluation Board for the EU (IBEB-EU) has announced three new Bremia races: Bl:38EU, Bl:39EU, and Bl:40EU. Our tests confirm that a significant portion of Enza Zaden's lettuce portfolio shows High resistance to these races. We have created a leaflet and updated our local websites to provide an overview of lettuce varieties with these new Bremia resistances.
Bremia lactucae, causing downy mildew in lettuce, is genetically very variable. It occurs worldwide and represents a great problem for the yield and quality of cultivated lettuce. Due to the high variability of the pathogen, there could be frequent mutations in the virulence genes, and newly emerging races could rapidly break the resistance genes.
The International Bremia Evaluation Board for the EU (IBEB-EU) evaluates over 300 European isolates annually, focusing on lettuce varieties from breeders' and growers' fields. They track the emergence of new races and the disappearance of known races.
The IBEB-EU recently announced the introduction of three new Bremia races: BI:38, BI:39, and BI:40, and the removal of BI:16-28.
Breeders are working together to monitor the changes in the Bremia population in response to the introduction of increased resistance. After the test following IBEB-EU Protocol, we conclude that Enza Zaden’s lettuce portfolio offers a wide range of solid varieties with excellent field performance, outstanding post-harvest quality, and High resistance to Bremia. In combination with your usual preventive treatments, these varieties ensure a high level of protection, leading to successful lettuce production.
Read the full press release from IBEB
Bremia lactucae races BI:16-28EU are agronomical no longer relevant in Europe. The High resistant to Bl:16-28EU races will not be claimed anymore. From July 1st, 2023, commercial resistance claims for European lettuce varieties will only refer to Bl:29 and higher-numbered races. Full resistance to Bremia will be BI:29-40.
Check out our complete lettuce resistance portfolio:
Bremia resistances Bl:29-36,38-40EU
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