Cross-protection of oilseed rape against Verticillium longisporum by the non-aggressive lineage A1/D2

Abstract Verticillium longisporum is a soil-borne vascular pathogen of oilseed rape and other Brassica crops. The limited availability chemical control measures against pathogens calls for the exploration alternatives. Cross-protection may be conveyed by use non-pathogenic or non-aggressive isolates potential as biocontrol agents. V. consists three lineages that originated from independent hybridization events four haploid parents. Previous pathogenicity tests in greenhouse have shown lineage A1/D2 on different non- hosts. Thus, cross-protection an aggressive isolate was tested. With root-dip inoculation, reduced disease symptoms when applied before at same time isolate. induction salicylic acid, signal known to play role basal cultivar-related resistance, not involved mechanism. most practical best feasible method application seed coat failed confirm effect observed with inoculation. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed coating led insufficient hyphal establishment roots compared which explain lack after illustrates importance efficacy cross-protective agent.