IBEB announces no new strains of Bremia lactucae in 2025
The International Bremia Evaluation Board Europe (IBEB-EU) has announced that no new races of Bremia lactucae have been designated in 2025. The most recent races – Bl:38EU, Bl:39EU, Bl:40EU, and Bl:41EU –remain the dominant strains in the field, with Bl:41EU now accounting for 41 per cent of all isolates collected. Notably, Bl:38EU and Bl:39EU are gaining prevalence, while Bl:40EU is showing a decline.
“Now more than ever, resistant portfolios are critical in the fight against Bremia,” Enza Zaden said in a press release. “Our leafy portfolio offers full resistance from Bl:29EU to Bl:41EU, while maintaining excellent agronomic performance. This enables producers to rely on sustainable, high-performing solutions to protect their crops and optimize yield, even under increasing disease pressure.
“Enza Zaden’s Bremia-resistant lettuce varieties span all leafy crop segments. These varieties not only support growers with strong field performance and post-harvest quality, but also benefit the entire value chain—from consistent supply and improved shelf life for retailers to cleaner, healthier produce for consumers.”
Bremia lactucae, or downy mildew, remains one of the most significant threats to lettuce production, capable of causing substantial crop losses. By integrating high-resistance genetics into its varieties, Enza Zaden said it helps growers reduce reliance on chemical treatments, lower input costs, and achieve more consistent yields – even in challenging conditions.
“Our resistant portfolios are designed to offer growers a comprehensive defense against downy mildew, supporting best practices in disease prevention and sustainable production,” the company said.
