The apple scab differential host set is compromised of 15 hosts with well characterized resistances to apple scab allowing us to assign isolates of Venturia inaequalis to specific races. This set of differential host reflects the knowledge of the V. inaequalis–Malus pathosystem as of June 2008. The set will be up-dated each time new apple scab R-genes are discovered and sufficient plant material is available. The set allows us to monitor which races are present in a given region. It allows us to track emergence of new virulent races, and identify the durable host resistant genes to breed apple scab resistant cultivars. This is apart of a larger initiative world wide “VINQUEST“, more information can be found here about the program and other participating countries.
Several of these differentials were obtained from Dr. Andrea Patocchi. Currently in New York three orchards have been established in May 2024. Each location represents a different growing environment in the state and will inform scientists and apple growers that which isolates are present and which resistance genes may be most effective for the orchards in the region. This page will be updated in subsequent years with data regarding scab infection on the host sets.
Geneva NY, Cornell AgriTech Campus
Highland NY, Hudson Valley Research Lab
Willsboro NY , Cornell Willsboro Research Farm
The following genotypes with their respective resistance genes are planted in each location.
