%0 Journal Article
%T Water Consumption and Vegetative Growth Progress in Resistant and Susceptible Olive Cultivars Infected by <i>Verticillium dahliae</i>
%A Fahima Birem
%A Esteban Alc¨˘ntara-Vara
%A Francisco Javier L¨®pez-Escudero
%J Agricultural Sciences
%P 230-238
%@ 2156-8561
%D 2016
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/as.2016.74023
%X Purpose: Water consumption and vegetative growth in resistant (ˇ°Frantoioˇ±) and susceptible (ˇ°Picualˇ±) olive cultivars infected with Verticillium dahliae were assessed. Methods: Plants were inoculated with the pathogen and disease evaluated in growth chamber. Mean daily water consumption and vegetative growth were recorded during 13 weeks. Results: Water consumption significantly decreased in inoculated plants compared to non-inoculated plants during the 3rd - 6th weeks after inoculation period. From the 9th week, a significantly lower consumption occurred in infected ˇ°Picualˇ± plants compared with ˇ°Frantoioˇ± plants. Vegetative growth was reduced in inoculated plants of both cultivars, although the reduction of the fresh weight was remarkably higher in ˇ°Picualˇ± compared with controls due to defoliation and tissue desiccation, impeding the production of new shoots and leaves. Conversely, in ˇ°Frantoioˇ±, defoliation was significantly reduced to low levels. Conclusions: Water consumption and vegetative growth in plants of resistant (ˇ°Frantoioˇ±) and susceptible (ˇ°Picualˇ±) olive cultivars inoculated by Verticillium dahliae were consistently associated with the progress of the wilt symptoms and the level of resistance of the cultivar. Growth and water consumption reductions in ˇ°Picualˇ± were irreversible in almost all plants, while ˇ°Frantoioˇ± plants were able to maintain water translocation, overcome the infection and avoid vascular occlusion, and restart vegetative growth.
%K Defoliating Pathotype
%K Disease Recovery
%K <
%K i>
%K Olea Europaea<
%K /i>
%K Verticillium Wilt of Olive
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=65701