On May 5th 2022, the ISF (International Seed Federation) officially designated a reference isolate and an extended official differential set for Fusarium race 4 (Fol:4). Disease tests with the reference isolate for Fol:4 on the Bejo commercial lettuce assortment, showed that several commercial available Bejo varieties have proven resistance to Fol:4.
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae (Fol), is a soil-borne fungus and a commercially important pathogen of lettuce. Fusarium enters the plant via the roots, where it enters the xylem and blocks the water transport which can result in complete loss of the plant. Since 2015 the isolate which has now been appointed as Fol:4 has been found in parts of Europe as an important disease and has widely spread since. If you use varieties with resistance to Fol:4 in areas where Fol:4 is present, you reduce the risk of losing a large part of your yield. Standard measurements such as hygiene and crop rotation are important as well.
Gerhard Voelkel, Crop Manager Lettuce at Bejo, says: “A significant part of our current varieties, which are already on the market for several years, are resistant to the new Fusarium race 4. We are confident that the reliability of our varieties offers growers the best available protection for the future. Our lettuce assortment in general demonstrates strong resistances. We will continue breeding for the best possible resistances as a main focus for the next generation of lettuce varieties, and Fol:4 is part of this.”
The ISF emphasizes that disease resistance is a major goal of breeding new varieties. It plays a key role in vegetable crop production and integrated pest management practices. Read the full press release from ISF.
Please ask your local representative for more information about our lettuce varieties and resistances.
Would you like to know which Bejo varieties do have the resistance to Fol:4? Check our assortment.
