The biology of Peronospora viciae on pea: the development of local and systemic infections and their effect on vining yield

SUMMARY The development of infection by Peronospora viciae (Berk.) Casp. was studied in field and plot experiments during 1967, 1968 and 1969. Numbers of primary systemically infected plants appeared shortly after emergence and reached a maximum by the end of May. Such plants acted as primary infectors and did not survive more than 3 weeks. Maximal sporangial release occurred between 06.00 and 08.00 h BST with a peak at 07.00 h, after 1–2 h insolation. Inoculation of leaves at 10.30 h resulted in greater infection than inoculation at 20.00 h. The result suggested a possible maturation requirement of sporangia following release from the sporangiophore. Initially the spread of foliar (local lesion) infection in the crop was sporadic and localized in cvs. Jade, Gregory, Dark Skinned Perfection (D.S.P.) and Fruhe Kleine Pfalzerin (F.K.P.) during the 3 years. The number of plants of all cvs. with foliar infection reached 100% by mid-June. Lesions rarely exceeded 15% of the leaf and stipular area of the mature plant. No effect of foliar lesions, at the highest level of infection, in haulm or seed fresh weight could be detected in cvs. F.K.P., Jade and D.S.P. Secondary systemic infection occurred sporadically in field crops usually with dense haulm growth. Plants of Jade with systemic infection were rated according to the number of nodes affected. There was a small but significant increase in haulm and seed fresh weight in plants with up to two nodes affected. But plants with three to five nodes showed a progressive reduction in the yield of green seed (resulting from a reduction in the number of podding nodes) and in pod size and haulm fresh weight. Total losses in Jade during 1968 and 1969 with all grades of infection did not exceed 4 % of the green seed crop. Systemic infection in some plants resulted in the death of the apex and the production of healthy, normally podding tillers. Such plants had no commercial value due to delayed maturation. Pod infection in Jade occurred largely independently of systemic symptoms: the overall level during 1969 did not exceed 16 % and only 2 % were severely infected. Total losses (from both systemic and pod infection) in Jade during 1968 and 1969 represented only a negligible part of the crop.