Genetic mapping and inheritance of Russian wheat aphid resistance gene in accession IG 100695

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), is an important pest of small‐grain cereals, particularly wheat, worldwide. The most efficient strategy against the RWA is to identify sources of resistance and to introduce them into susceptible wheat genotypes. This study was conducted to determine the mode of inheritance of the RWA resistance found in ICARDA accession IG 100695, to identify wheat microsatellite markers closely linked to the gene and to map the chromosomal location of the gene. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker scores were identified in a mapping population of 190 F₂ individuals and compared, while phenotypic screening for resistance was performed in F_2 : 3 families derived from a cross between ‘Basribey’ (susceptible) and IG 100695 (resistant). Phenotypic segregation of leaf chlorosis and rolling displayed the effect of a single dominant gene, temporarily denoted Dn100695, in IG 100695. Dn100695 was mapped on the short arm of chromosome 7D with four linked SSR markers, Xgwm44, Xcfd14, Xcfd46 and Xbarc126. Dn100695 and linked SSR markers may be useful for improving resistance for RWA in wheat breeding.     

Inheritance and allelism of resistances to the Russian wheat aphid in seven wheat lines

Summary Studies were conducted to determine the inheritance and allelic relationships of genes controlling resistance to the Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), in seven wheat germplasm lines previously identified as resistant to RWA. The seven resistant lines were crossed to a susceptible wheat cultivar Carson, and three resistant wheats, CORWA1, PI294994 and PI243781, lines carrying the resistance genes Dn4, Dn5 and Dn6, respectively. Seedlings of the parents, F₁ and F₂ were screened for RWA resistance in the greenhouse by artificial infestation. Seedling reactions were evaluated 21 to 28 days after the infestation using a 1 to 9 scale. All the F₁ hybrids had equal or near equal levels of resistance to the resistant parent indicating dominant gene control. Only two distinctive classes were present and no intermediate types were observed in the F₂ segregation suggesting major gene actions. The resistance in PI225262 was controlled by two dominant genes. Resistance in all other lines was controlled by a single dominant gene. KS92WGRC24 appeared to have the same resistance gene as PI243781 and STARS-9302W-sib had a common allele with PI294994. The other lines had genes different from the three known genes.     

DNA and morphological markers for a Russian wheat aphid resistance gene

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), is a significant insect pest of wheat worldwide. Morphological and molecular markers associated with RWA resistance could be used to increase the accuracy and efficiency of selection of resistant germplasm and facilitate transfer to desirable wheat genotypes. The objective of this work was to identify microsatellite (SSR) markers linked to the RWA resistance gene (Dn4) and glume-colour gene (Rg2) using a population of F₂-derived F₃ families originating from a cross between a susceptible line (synthetic hexaploid-11) and a resistance cultivar (Halt). Two microsatellite markers Xgwm106 and Xgwm337 flanked Dn4 on the short arm of chromosome 1D at 5.9 and 9.2 cM, respectively. Two other microsatellite markers, Xpsp2999 and Xpsp3000, at the distal part of this chromosome arm are linked to Dn4 and to Rg2. The accuracy and efficiency of marker-assisted selection were calculated for homozygous Dn4Dn4 genotypes in the F₂ generation. The gene Rg2 for red glume colour can also be used for marker-assisted selection of Dn4 gene individually and in combination with microsatellite markers. When used together, the closest markers Xgwm106 and Xgwm337, provide 100% accuracy and 75% efficiency. One hundred percent accuracy is also achieved when the morphological marker red glume is used in combination with either Xgwm106 or Xgwm337. Using these flanking markers, it may be possible to fix resistance to RWA in the first segregating generation of an F₂ population without infestation with aphids.     

Recessive genes controlling resistance to Helminthosporium leaf blight in synthetic hexaploid wheat

A study was conducted under controlled environment conditions in a phytotron to determine the nature of the inheritance of resistance Helminthosporium leaf blight (HLB) in a synthetic hexaploid wheat line, ‘Chirya‐3’, against the isolate KL‐8 of Bipolaris sorokiniana from the major wheat growing region of India. Crosses were made between two susceptible lines ‘WH 147’ and ‘Chinese Spring’. Analyses of F₁ and F₂ populations of these two crosses (‘WH 147’בChirya‐3’ and ‘Chinese Spring’בChirya‐3’) showed that resistance against the isolate in ‘Chirya‐3’ was governed by two recessive genes functioning in a complementary interaction giving an F₂ segregation pattern of 1 : 15 (resistant : susceptible). The segregation pattern of the resistant F₂ progenies in F₃ families from both crosses confirmed that two homozygous recessive genes were responsible for resistance to the isolate of Bipolaris sorokiniana in the synthetic line ‘Chirya‐3’. It is proposed that the genes be designated as hlbr1 and hlbr2.     

Inheritance and allelism of Russian wheat aphid resistance in several wheat lines

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) has caused serious reduction in wheat production in 17 Western states of the United States since 1986. Inheritance of resistance to RWA in seven wheat lines and the allelism of the resistance genes in these lines with three known resistance genes Dn4, Dn5, and Dn6 were studied. The seven resistant lines were crossed to a susceptible wheat cultivar ‘Carson’ and three resistant wheats: CORWA1 (Dn4), PI 294994 (Dn5), and PI 243781 (Dn6). Seedlings of the parents, F₁, and F₂ were screened for RWA resistance in the greenhouse by artificial infestation. Seedling reactions were evaluated 21–28 days after the infestation using a 1–9 scale. The resistance level of all the F₁ hybrids was similar to that of the resistant parent, indicating dominant gene control. Only two distinctive classes were present and no intermediate types were observed in the F₂ population, suggesting qualitative, nonadditive gene action, in which the presence of any one of the dominant alleles confers complete resistance to RWA. Resistance in CI 2401 is controlled by two dominant genes. Resistance in CI 6501 and PI 94365 is governed by one dominant gene. Resistance in PI 94355 and PI 151918 may be conditioned by either one dominant gene or one dominant and one recessive gene. No conclusion can be made on how many resistance genes are in AUSVA1-F₃, since the parent population was not a pure line. Allelic analyses showed that one of resistance genes in CI 2401 and PI 151918 was the same allele as Dn4, the resistance gene in CI 6501 was the same allele as Dn6, and AUS-VA1-F₃ had one resistance gene which was the same allele as one of the resistance genes in PI 294994. One non-allelic resistance gene different from the Dn4, Dn5, and Dn6 genes in CI 2401, PI 94355, PI 94365, and PI 222668 was identified and should be very useful in diversifying gene sources in wheat breeding.     

Inheritance of Russian wheat aphid resistance in PI 140207 spring wheat

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), has become a serious, perennial pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in many areas of the world. This study was initiated to determine the inheritance of RWA resistance in PI 140207 (a RWA-resistant spring wheat) and to determine its allelic relationship with a previously reported RWA resistance gene. Crosses were made between PI 140207 and ‘Pavon’ (a RWA-susceptible spring wheat). Genetic analysis was performed on the parents, F₁, F₂, backcross (BC) population and F₂-derived F₃ families. Analyses of segregation patterns of plants in the F₁, F₂, and BC populations, and F₂-derived F₃ families indicated single dominant gene control of RWA resistance in PI 140207. Results of the allelism test indicated that the resistance gene in PI 140207, while conferring distinctly different seedling reactions to RWA feeding, is the same as Dn 1, the resistance gene in PI 137739.     

The linkage between the stem rust resistance gene Sr2 and pseudo-black chaff in wheat can be broken

Recessively inherited gene Sr2 has provided the basis of durable resistance to stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis tritici) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. The associated earhead and stem melanism or ‘pseudo‐black chaff’ is generally used as a marker for this gene. Sr2 has been postulated in many wheat cultivars of India including ‘Lok 1’, based on associated pseudo‐black chaff in adult plants, and leaf chlorosis in seedlings. However, dominant inheritance of the resistance factor operating in ‘Lok 1’, and a 13 : 3 (resistant : susceptible) F₂ segregation in the ‘Sr2‐line’ (‘Chinese Spring’⁶ × ‘Hope’ 3B) × ‘Lok 1’ cross confirmed that Sr2 was absent in ‘Lok 1’. Susceptible plants with a pseudo‐black chaff phenotype were observed in F₂ populations of ‘Agra Local’ (susceptible) × ‘Lok 1’, and the ‘Sr2‐line’ × ‘Lok 1’ crosses. Most of the F₃ families derived from the susceptible F₂ segregants with pseudo‐black chaff phenotypes were true breeding for the expression of pseudo‐black chaff with susceptibility to stem rust. Thus, linkage of pseudo‐black chaff with Sr2 in wheat can be broken, and hence, caution may be exercised in using pseudo‐black chaff as a marker for selecting Sr2 in breeding programmes.     

Inheritance of Russian wheat aphid resistance from tetraploid wheat accessions during transfer to hexaploid wheat

Identification of new sources of resistance to Russian wheat aphid (RWA) (Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has become very important with the identification of several new biotypes since 2003. Our objective was to characterize inheritance and expression of resistance to RWA biotype 2 from three tetraploid wheat landraces (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. dicoccon) during transfer to hexaploid wheat. Resistant tetraploid accessions PI 624903, PI 624904, and PI 624908 were crossed to the susceptible hexaploid cultivars ‘Len’ and ‘Coteau’. Resistant F1 progeny were advanced to the F2:3 by self-pollination and to the BC1F2 and BC2F1 by backcrossing. Leaf rolling and chlorosis were recorded in standard seedling screening tests on F1 and F2:3 individuals while the F2, BC1F1, BC1F2, and BC2F1 were scored as resistant or susceptible. Segregation in the BC1F1 and BC2F1 fit a 1:1 resistant:susceptible ratio, indicative of control by a single dominant gene. Segregation for resistance in the F2 did not fit 3:1, 13:3, or 15:1 ratios for any of the resistant accessions. Expression of resistance in homogeneous resistant F2:3 lines was greater than susceptible checks, similar to the resistant tetraploid accessions, and less than a line carrying the Dn7 resistance gene. Resistance derived from these tetraploid accessions will be useful to broaden the base of RWA resistance available for use in wheat breeding.     

Evaluation of common wheat cultivars for tan spot resistance and chromosomal location of a resistance gene in the cultivar 'Salamouni'

A total of 50 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were evaluated for resistance to tan spot, using Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis race 1 and race 5 isolates. The cultivars ‘Salamouni’, ‘Red Chief’, ‘Dashen’, ‘Empire’ and ‘Armada’ were resistant to isolate ASC1a (race 1), whereas 76% of the cultivars were susceptible. Chi‐squared analysis of the F₂ segregation data of hybrids between 20 monosomic lines of the wheat cultivar ‘Chinese Spring’ and the resistant cultivar ‘Salamouni’ revealed that tan spot resistance in ‘Salamouni’ was controlled by a single recessive gene located on chromosome 3A. This gene is designated tsn4. The resistant cultivars identified in this study are recommended for use in breeding programmes to improve tan spot resistance in common wheat.     

Genetic basis of seedling-resistance to leaf rust in bread wheat 'Thatcher'

The bread wheat cultivar ‘Thatcher’ is documented to carry the gene Lr22b for adult‐plant resistance to leaf rust. Seedling‐resistance to leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina in the bread wheat cultivar ‘Thatcher’, the background parent of the near‐isogenic lines for leaf rust resistance genes in wheat, is rare and no published information could be found on its genetic basis. The F₂ and F₃ analysis of the cross ‘Agra Local’ (susceptible) × ‘Thatcher’ showed that an apparently incompletely dominant gene conditioned seedling‐resistance in ‘Thatcher’ to the three ‘Thatcher’‐avirulent Indian leaf rust pathotypes – 0R8, 0R8‐1 and 0R9. Test of allelism revealed that this gene (temporarily designated LrKr1) was derived from ‘Kanred’, one of the parents of ‘Thatcher’. Absence of any susceptible F₂ segregants in a ‘Thatcher’ × ‘Marquis’ cross confirmed that an additional gene (temporarily designated LrMq1) derived from ‘Marquis’, another parent of ‘Thatcher’, was effective against pathotype 0R9 alone. These two genes as well as a second gene in ‘Kanred’ (temporarily designated LrKr2), which was effective against all the three pathotypes, but has not been inherited by ‘Thatcher’, seem to be novel, undocumented leaf rust resistance genes.     

Monosomic analysis of Helminthosporium leaf blight resistance genes in wheat

A set of 21 monosomic (2n ‐ 1) and the disomic (2n) lines of the ‘Chinese Spring’ cultivar were crossed with ‘Chirya‐3′, the CIMMYT synthetic wheat line which has been identified as highly resistant for Helminthosporium leaf blight disease (HLB), in order to locate the genes governing disease resistance. The F₁ and segregating populations were challenged and screened against the most virulent pure mono‐conidial HLB isolate KL‐8 (Karnal, India). The F₁ progenies of the crosses were found to be susceptible because of the recessive nature of resistance. The F₂ progeny of the control cross (‘Chinese Spring’בChirya‐3’), segregated in the ratio of 1: 15 (resistant: susceptible), indicating that resistance to HLB was controlled by a pair of recessive genes. While the F₂ progeny of 19 monosomic crosses segregated in the ratio of 1: 15 (resistant: susceptible), the progeny of the remaining two crosses, 7B and 7D, deviated significantly from the ratio, revealing that 7B and 7D were the critical chromosomes for resistance genes that were located one on each chromosome. Moreover, the critical lines, 7B and 7D, confirmed the digenic complementary recessive nature of gene action by fitting well with the overall pooled F₂ segregation ratio of 13: 51 (resistant: susceptible) as expected for digenic complementary recessive resistance. The F₃ segregation ratios of the critical crosses, based on their pooled F₂ analysis, was estimated as 19: 32: 13 (non‐segregating susceptible: segregating as susceptible and resistant: non‐segregating resistant). F₃ progenies when tested with these ratios showed goodness‐of‐fit, confirming that the two pairs of recessive resistance genes were located on chromosomes 7B and 7D.     

Inheritance of insensitivity to culture filtrate of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, race 2, in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Tan spot of wheat is caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis. On susceptible hosts, P. tritici‐repentis induces two phenotypically distinct symptoms, tan necrosis and chlorosis. This fungus produces several toxins that induce tan necrosis and chlorosis symptoms in susceptible cultivars. The objectives of this study were to determine the inheritance of insensitivity to necrosis‐inducing culture filtrate of P. tritici‐repentis, race 2, and to establish the relationship between the host reaction to culture filtrate and spore inoculation with respect to the necrosis component. The F₁, F₂, and BC₁F₁ plants and F_2:8 lines of five crosses involving resistant wheat genotypes ‘Erik’, ‘Red Chief’, and line 86ISMN 2137 with susceptible cultivars ‘Glenlea’ and ‘Kenyon’ were studied. Plants were spore‐inoculated at the two‐leaf stage. Four days later, the newly emerged uninoculated third leaf was infiltrated with a culture filtrate of isolate Ptr 92–164 (race 2). Reactions to the spore inoculation and the culture filtrate were recorded 8 days after spore inoculation. The segregation observed in the F₂ and BC₁F₁ generations and the F_2:8 lines of all crosses indicated that a single recessive gene controlled insensitivity to necrosis caused by culture filtrate. This gene also controlled resistance to necrosis induced by spore inoculation.     

Eyespot resistance in wheat ×Aegilops kotschyi backcross lines

In wheat, eyespot caused by PseudoCercosporella herpotrichoides, is one of the main foot‐rot diseases. Yield losses up to 40% occur in some years. Plant protection by fungicide application is possible, but a better way is through resistance breeding. Two resistance sources are currently used: Aegilops ventricosa and the old French variety ‘Cappelle Desprez’. A new source of resistance has been found in the accession AE120 of Ae. kotschyi from the Gatersleben gene bank with the genome constitution UUSvSv. This accession has been crossed and backcrossed twice to susceptible wheat varieties, and in each generation, plants with a relatively high level of resistance have been selected. From this material, lines have been developed and tested in F₆ to F₈. Finally, several lines could be classified as moderately resistant, such as the French variety ‘Cappelle Desprez’ after resistance determination during milk ripeness (DC75). No line reached the high resistance level achieved with Pch‐1 from Ae. ventricosa. The yield of these lines under infection conditions was higher compared with ‘Cappelle Desprez’. The line 6018‐96‐3 showed a high yield of 64.3 dt/ha compared with 59.6 dt/ha, on the average, in combination with the best expression of eyespot resistance in the adult growth stage over 3 years.     

Inheritance and allelic relationships of resistances to the Russian wheat aphid in two Iranian wheat lines

Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), is a serious pest of small grains in many countries. A previous study screened 70 genotypes, collected from different parts of Iran, for RWA resistance. Four crosses were made between two resistant lines (Shz.W-102 and Shz.W-104) and two susceptible lines (Shz.W-101 and Shz.W-103). Parents, F₁, F₂, and BCF₁ seedlings were screened for RWA resistance in the greenhouse by artificial infection. To determine allelism, the two resistant lines were intercrossed and F₁, and F₂ seedlings were evaluated. Resistance in Shz.W-102 and Shz.W-104, when crossed with Shz.W-101, was controlled by one dominant gene. However, resistance in Shz.W-102 and Shz.W-104, when crossed with Shz.W-103, was controlled by two dominant genes. Genes in two resistant lines segregated independently of each other. A three-gene system was proposed to govern resistance in the lines under study . This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of resistance to root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei) in wheat

The inheritance of resistance to root‐lesion nematode was investigated in five synthetic hexaploid wheat lines and two bread wheat lines using a half‐diallel design of F₁ and F₂ crosses. The combining ability of resistance genes in the synthetic hexaploid wheat lines was compared with the performance of the bread wheat line ‘GS50a’, the source of resistance to Pratylenchus thornei used in Australian wheat breeding programmes. Replicated glasshouse trials identified P. thornei resistance as polygenic and additive in gene action. General combining ability (GCA) of the parents was more important than specific combining ability (SCA) effects in the inheritance of P. thornei resistance in both F₁ and F₂ populations. The synthetic hexaploid wheat line ‘CPI133872’ was identified as the best general combiner, however, all five synthetic hexaploid wheat lines possessed better GCA than ‘GS50a’ The synthetic hexaploid wheat lines contain novel sources of P. thornei resistance that will provide alternative and more effective sources of resistance to be utilized in wheat breeding programmes.     

A leaf rust resistance gene, different from Lr34, associated with leaf tip necrosis in wheat

The gene Lr34 has contributed to durable resistance to leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina in wheat worldwide. The closely associated leaf tip necrosis is generally used as the gene's marker. Lr34 has been postulated in many Indian bread wheat cultivars including ‘C 306’, based on the associated leaf tip necrosis and a few other field and glasshouse observations. The present study showed monogenic control of adult‐plant resistance in ‘C 306’ to leaf rust pathotype 77‐5 (121R63‐1). The F₂ segregation in the crosses between ‘C 306’ and the two known carriers of Lr34, ‘Line 897’ and ‘Jupateco 73’‘R’ fitted a digenic ratio. The F₃ families derived from the susceptible F₂ segregants were true breeding for susceptibility, proving the absence of Lr34 in ‘C 306’. The cross between ‘Line 897’ and ‘Jupateco 73’‘R’ did not segregate for susceptibility. Resistance in the cross ‘Agra Local’ (susceptible) × ‘C 306’ was associated with leaf tip necrosis, showing that the leaf rust resistance gene in ‘C 306’ was associated with leaf tip necrosis, but was different from Lr34. This gene is being temporarily designated as Lr‘C 306’. Hence, leaf tip necrosis cannot be considered as an exclusive marker for selecting Lr34 in wheat improvement.     

Genetic control of Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) resistance in wheat accession PI 47545

The Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), is a major pest of cereal crops in many areas of the world, causing serious reduction in grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Incorporating genetic resistance to D. noxia into wheat cultivars is paramount to effectively reduce damage inflicted by this pest. Genetic resistance to D. noxia has been identified in wheat, barley and rye germplasm, and several resistance genes are available for use for cultivar improvement. In the United States of America, only a few Russian wheat aphid (RWA) resistant winter wheat cultivars are currently available, and these cultivars contain only one of the six known RWA resistance genes. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance of RWA resistance in wheat accession PI 47545, using a screening method based on differences in the leaf morphology of resistant and susceptible types following insect challenge. PI 47545 was selected for study, since it displayed high levels of resistance in a white-grained wheat background, the predominant wheat class produced in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Segregation analysis was conducted on an F₂ population developed by cross-hybridizing the susceptible soft white winter wheat cultivar ‘Daws’ to the resistant accession PI 47545. Russian wheat aphid screening data from this population indicated that the resistance in PI 47545 is controlled by a single, dominant gene (χ² = 1.72; p ≤ 0.189). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inheritance and allelism for resistance to Russian Wheat Aphid in an Iranian Spring Wheat

Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), is an important pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the United States of America. Developing adapted wheat cultivars with genetic resistance to RWA is an effective control strategy. Genetic studies were conducted to determine the mode of inheritance of gene(s) conferring resistance to RWA in an Iranian landrace wheat line, G 5864. For the inheritance study, G 5864 was crossed with the susceptible wheats ‘Yecora Rojo’ and ND 2375. Seedlings of F1, reciprocal F1, F2, BC1 to the susceptible parent (BCS), and BC1 to the resistant parent (BCR) were screened for RWA reaction. Several phenotypic segregation ratios were tested in the F2 populations for goodness of fit; the 9:3:3:1 ratio (resistant: rolled leaves: stunted plants: susceptible) was an acceptable fit in all cases. Thus, resistance in G 5864 seemed to be controlled by two independent dominant genes with additive gene effects. The allelic relationships of gene(s) in this line with genes in other resistant lines, PI 137739 (Dn1), PI 262660 (Dn2), PI 372129 (Dn4), PI 294994 (Dn5), and PI 243781 (Dn6), were also studied. Segregation patterns observed in G 5864 × resistant (R × R) F2 populations were inconclusive. However, no susceptible plants were observed in these F2 populations. If previous reports concerning the number of resistance genes present in the other resistant lines are correct, then given the high manifestation of resistance observed in G 5864, and given the absence of susceptible plants in the R × R F2 populations, it is indicated that RWA resistance in G 5864 is either controlled by different alleles at the same loci as the other resistance genes, or that G 5864 shares a resistance gene with each of the other resistant lines. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inheritance of resistance to Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica Mitra) in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The mode of inheritance and allelic relationships among genes conferring resistance to Karnal bunt were studied in seven bread-wheat (six resistant and one susceptible) genotypes. The resistant genotypes originated in China (‘Shanghai#8’), Brazil (PF71131), the USA (‘Chris’), and Mexico (‘Amsel’, CMH77.308 and ‘Pigeon’). The susceptible line WL711 was from India. Evaluation of these wheat lines and all possible crosses among their F₁ and F₃ generations (about 100 progenies in each cross) revealed that two partially recessive genes conferred the resistance to Karnal bunt in ‘Pigeon’, whereas four partially dominant genes were present in the other genotypes. ‘Chris’, ‘Amsel’ and PF71131 carry one gene, whereas ‘Shanghai#8’ and CMH77.308 have two genes. ‘Chris’, ‘Amsel’, and PF71131 have different genes, whereas one gene was common to PF71131, CMH77.308 and ‘Shanghai#8’, and another to ‘Chris’ and CMH77.308. Gene symbols were formally designated to the resistant stocks. Resistance was incomplete and stable.     

Molecular markers linked to the Aegilops variabilis-derived root-knot nematode resistance gene Rkn-mn1 in wheat

Aegilops variabilis no. 1 is the only known source of resistance to the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne naasi in wheat. Previous studies showed that a dominant gene, Rkn‐mn1, was transferred to a wheat translocation line from the donor Ae. variabilis. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed on the wheat cultivar ‘Lutin’, on Ae. variabilis, on a resistant disomic addition line and on a resistant translocation line. For genetic and molecular studies, 114‐117 BC₃F₂ plants and F₃‐derived families were tested. Five DNA and one isozyme marker were linked to Rkn‐mn1. Three RAPD markers flanking the Rkn‐mn1 locus were mapped at 0 cM (OpY16_‐1065), 0.8 cM (OpB12_‐1320) and 1.7 cM (OpN20_‐1235), respectively. Since the Rkn‐mn1 gene remained effective, its introduction into different wheat cultivars by marker‐assisted selection is suggested.