Occurrence of sdh mutations in German Alternaria solani isolates and potential impact on boscalid sensitivity in vitro, in the greenhouse, and in the field

The fungus Alternaria solani is the main pathogen causing early blight on potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). An increase in the development of resistance to the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) boscalid, one of the main active ingredients for the control of early blight, has been reported. For this study, monitoring data from Germany were collected between 2013 and 2016 and an increase in the occurrence of A. solani succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) mutant isolates was observed. In addition to the known point mutations in sdh complex II, a new mutation in subunit C was found in German isolates (SdhCH134Q). SDHI fungicide sensitivity testing was performed in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field. Reduced boscalid sensitivity was shown for mutant isolates (SdhB-H278Y and SdhC-H134R) both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, field trials with artificial inoculation were performed in 2016 and 2017. In both years, fungicide efficacy was significantly reduced after mutant inoculation compared with wild-type inoculation.