Isolation and evaluation of a strain of Pyropia yezoensis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) resistant to red rot disease

Red rot disease (Pythium porphyrae) resistant strains of Pyropia yezoensis, AP1 and AP2, were isolated from live cells taken from lesions on infected P. yezoensis blades. The degree of resistance of these strains to red rot disease was evaluated over a range of environmental conditions including temperature (10, 15, and 20 A degrees C), salinity (20, 26, and 32 ppt), and pH (7.5, 8.0, and 8.5). These conditions are within the range that red rot disease naturally occurs on Pyropia blades. P. yezoensis and Pyropia suborbiculata with low and high partial resistance to red rot disease, respectively, were used as controls. Infection with red rot disease occurred under all environmental conditions. The incidence, severity, and expansion of the disease increased with increasing temperature and decreasing salinity and pH. The resistance of the strains P. yezoensis-AP1 and P. yezoensis-AP2 was higher than that of P. yezoensis, but lower than that of P. suborbiculata. The degree of resistance was not significantly different between the AP1 and AP2 strains. These strains can therefore be considered to exhibit stable partial resistance to P. porphyrae, and as a good starting point for the development of more resistant strains that will prevent or reduce the incidence of red rot disease on Pyropia farms.