Description:
The mechanism(s) of adult plant resistance (a.p.r.) to Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei were examined in two spring barley cultivars, Athos and Porthos, which possess similar identified mildew resistance genes and seedling resistance, but differential field resistance. These cultivars were compared with Golden Promise, a universally susceptible cultivar. Differential a.p.r. to a compatible race was detected as a reduction in the number and sporulation of colonies on later‐formed Athos leaves. Golden Promise exhibited some a.p.r., but much less than either Athos or Porthos. Differential a.p.r. was expressed at several infection stages, viz. appressorial formation, penetration and sporulation. Epidermal hypersensitivity occurred infrequently in all leaf position/cultivar interactions. Papillae were associated with >90% of all penetration failures. The incidence of papillae in successful penetrations at 96 h was 20% on later‐formed leaves of Athos compared to c. 60% on all other leaves.