Abstract. Screening of cultivars from apple breeding programme for the presence of genes coding resistance to apple scab was conducted in the Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture in Skierniewice. The Vbj-gene (source: resistant Malus baccata jackii) was identified in all plants independently on the level of tolerance/susceptibility to this disease. The Vf-related fragment (source: M. floribunda 821) was also recognized in majority of tested plants, and only three cvs (‘Antonówka Zwykła’, ‘Red Rome’ and ‘Rome Spur’) do not seem to be the donors of this gene.

The occurrence of selected genes coding resistance to apple scab in population of cultivated varieties and wild species used
in apple breeding programme

Summary

Thirteen cultivars with partial tolerance to apple scab, susceptible ‘McIntosh’ and two wild, resistant species Malus floribunda 821 and Malus baccata jackii were analysed for the presence of genes coding resistance to Venturia inaequalis. Six primers were selected for isolation of DNA fragments connected with Vf and Vbj resistance genes. DNA fragments with expected size for the Vbj-gene were identified in all plants, meanwhile only genome of 3 cvs did not contain the Vf. The obtained results allowed to recognize donors of the analysed genes and confirm polygenic character of resistance to apple scab.