Downy mildew symptoms caused by Plasmopara halstedii encountered in sunflower plantation are varied. This variation may be related to the resistance mechanism presented by plant to the invasion of the fungus. Our objectives were firstly is to evaluate symptom development after fungus race 710 inoculation on some vegetative stage of susceptible hybrid. Second objective is to evaluate the reaction some sunflower genotypes after fungus inoculation. The study was conducted under controlled conditions or under netting cages in the field. The development of downy mildew symptoms were affected by all factors studied. Shoot inoculation may present a good method to produce downy mildew symptom similar to the natural infection. Downy mildew symptom progression may be used to screen a genotype with a horizontal resistance.
