Identification and molecular mapping of a leaf rust resistance gene in spelt wheat landrace Altgold

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is an important disease for wheat production, both in China and worldwide. In laboratory studies spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) landrace Altgold was resistant to P. triticina races THT and PHT and genetic analysis indicated that it possessed a dominant leaf rust resistance gene, temporarily designated LrAlt. F₆ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross with the susceptible common wheat cultivar Nongda 3338 were used to map LrAlt with SSR markers. The resistance gene was distal to SSR loci Xbarc212, Xwmc382, Xgwm636, and Xwmc407 on the short arm of chromosome 2A. The closest markers Xbarc212 and Xwmc382 which co-segregated were 1.8 cM away from LrAlt. The relationships of LrAlt and other wheat leaf rust resistance genes located on the short arm of chromosome 2A were discussed, suggesting that LrAlt might be a new leaf rust resistance gene.     

小麦品系M8003-5抗条锈病基因遗传分析和分子作图

为了利用小麦抗条锈病品系M8003-5中的抗病基因,用当前7个流行的条锈菌生理小种对小麦品系M8003-5的抗条锈性进行了鉴定,发现该品种对当前的各优势小种均有良好抗性。在温室内以病菌小种Su11-4对M8003-5在进行苗期抗条锈性鉴定和遗传分析,初步确定M8003-5对Su11-4的抗性由1对显性基因控制,位于7DS上的SSR标记Xbarc5、Xwmc463、Xwmc405、Xbarc126、Xgwm295、Xgwm44、Xwmc702、Xwmc438、Xwmc121、Xgwm111和Xbarc121与该基因连锁,最近的为Xwmc702和Xwmc438,遗传距离分别为3.5 cM和4.3 cM。分子标记及其相关分析表明,此基因可能来自黑麦,与已定位于7D染色体上的抗病基因不同,暂命名为YrM8003。利用与其紧密连锁的标记Xwmc702和Xwmc438测黄淮麦区43个主栽品种,结果显示,有20%的品种具有与YrM8003基因相同的标记位点。这一结果有助于YrM8003在抗条锈病育种的应用。     

小麦品种小偃9323抗条锈基因的遗传分析和分子作图

小偃9323是小偃6号的同源材料,具有早熟、抗逆性强、适应性广、抗条锈性强等许多优良的生物学特性。为明确其抗条锈性及遗传规律,利用当前流行的中国条锈菌小种CYR32对抗病品种小偃9323与感病品种铭贤169及其杂交后代F₁、F₂、F₃和BC₁代进行苗期抗条锈性遗传分析,并对其抗条锈基因进行SSR分子标记。结果表明,小偃9323对CYR32小种具有良好的抗性,由1对隐性基因所控制。利用F₂代分离群体,筛选到6个与抗病基因连锁的SSR标记,分别是Xwmc807、Xbarc3、Xwmc684、Xwmc201、Xwmc553和Xwmc179;该抗病基因位于小麦6AL染色体上,其最近的标记为Xwmc201和Xwmc553,遗传距离分别是2.6 cM和3.7 cM。分析表明,该基因不同于已知抗条锈基因,暂被命名为YrXY9323。用YrXY9323两侧遗传距离最近的标记Xwmc201和Xwmc553对42个黄淮麦区主栽小麦品种进行分子检测,结果表明有19%的品种具有与YrXY9323相同的标记位点。本结果对YrXY9323在小麦抗条锈病育种中的应用提供了理论依据。     

Molecular mapping of a stripe rust resistance gene in wheat cultivar Wuhan 2

Stripe rust (or yellow rust), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat worldwide. Growing resistant cultivars is the best approach to control the disease. To identify and map genes for stripe rust resistance in wheat cultivar ‘Wuhan 2', an F₂ population was developed from a cross between the cultivar and susceptible cultivar Mingxian 169. The parents, 179 F₂ plants and their derived F_2:3 lines were evaluated for responses to Chinese races CYR30 and CYR31 of the pathogen in a greenhouse. A recessive gene for resistance was identified. DNA bulked segregant analysis was applied and resistance gene analog polymorphism (RGAP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) techniques were used to identify molecular markers linked to the resistance gene. A genetic map consisting of five RGAP and six SSR markers was constructed. The recessive gene, designated Yrwh2, was located on the short arm of chromosome 3B and flanked by SSR markers Xwmc540 and Xgwm566 at 5.9 and 10.0 cM, respectively. The chromosomal location of the resistance gene and its close marker suggest that the locus is different from previously reported stripe rust resistance genes Yr30, QYr.ucw-3BS, Yrns-B1, YrRub and QYrex.wgp-3BL previously mapped to chromosome 3B. Yrwh2 and its closely linked markers are potentially useful for developing stripe rust resistance wheat cultivars if used in combination with other genes.     

小麦品种贵农21抗条锈病基因的SSR标记

对贵农21携带的条锈病 (Puccinia striiformis Westend f. sp. tritic) 抗性基因进行鉴定和遗传分析,明确了贵农21携带1个抗条锈病显性单基因,暂命名为YrGn21。采用F₂代抗病分离群体和集群分离分析法(BSA),建立了与YrGn21连锁的11个微卫星标记Xcau14、Xwmc49、Xgwm403、Xgdm62、Xwmc272、Xgwm459、Xbarc240、Xbarc187、Xgdm28、Xgwm11和Xgwm413,并将YrGn21定位于小麦1BS的近着丝粒区域,与位于1BS染色体上的Yr26基因具有等位性关系,为贵农21抗条锈病基因在育种中的利用,进行标记辅助选择和基因累加提供了便利。     

Inheritance of field resistance to Septoria tritici blotch in the wheat doubled-haploid population Solitär × Mazurka

Breeding for field resistance to Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola (anamorph: Septoria tritici), is the most suitable strategy for controlling this important disease of wheat. Although many Stb genes for resistance to single pathogen isolates have been identified in wheat, knowledge of their efficiency against natural fungal populations is lacking. In a quantitative-trait-locus (QTL) mapping approach in six environments and four locations, field resistance to STB was studied in a doubled-haploid population derived from a cross between the field-resistant cultivar Solitär and the susceptible cultivar Mazurka. After plant height as a disease escape trait was accounted for, five QTL with effects on STB response on chromosomes 5A, 6D and 7D explained 20 % of the genotypic variance; QTL × environment interactions were minor. Field resistance was conferred exclusively by alleles from Solitär, which was previously shown to carry the isolate-specific genes Stb6 and Stb11 as well as minor QTL detected with seven fungal isolates. Surprisingly, neither the Stb6 nor Stb11 isolate-specific genes nor minor QTL previously detected in Solitär were found to be involved in its field resistance. The study suggests that resistance breeding for STB should not rest solely on the deployment of Stb genes. Field tests are indispensable to show their efficacy and durability and to identify genes conferring partial field resistance to STB.     

Identification and molecular tagging of a stripe rust resistance gene in wheat line P81

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (PST), is one of the most devastating diseases in common wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). With the objective of identifying and tagging a new gene for resistance to stripe rust in wheat line P81, F₁, F₂ and F_2:3 populations from the cross 'Chuanmai 28'/P81 were inoculated with Chinese PST race CYR32 in greenhouse and field trials. P81 carried a single dominant gene for resistance (designated YrP81 ) to CYR32. Tests of allelism showed that YrP81 was different from Yr5 , Yr10 , Yr15 and Yr26 . Simple sequence repeat (SSR) and resistance gene-analogue polymorphism (RGAP) between the parents were used for genotyping the F₂ populations. YrP81 was closely linked to four SSR loci on chromosome 2BS with genetic distances of 18.3 cM ( Xwmc25 ), 1.8 cM ( Xgwm429 ), 4.1 cM ( Xwmc770 ) and 5.3 cM ( Xgwm148 ). Two RGAP markers RGA1 (NLRR/XLRR) and RGA2 (Pto kin4/NLRR-INV2) were also closely linked to YrP81 with genetic distances of 4.7 and 6.3 cM, respectively. The linkage map of YrP81 and molecular markers was established in the order Xwmc25 - RGA2 - RGA1 - Xgwm429 - YrP81 - Xwmc770 - Xgwm148 . Pedigree analysis, response patterns with Chinese PST races and associations with markers suggested that YrP81 is a novel stripe rust resistance gene. The PCR-based microsatellite and RGAP markers identified here could be applied in selection of YrP81 in wheat breeding.     

Mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr38</Emphasis> on wheat chromosome arm 6DL using SSR markers

Leaf rust caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina is one of the most important diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum) worldwide. The use of resistant wheat cultivars is considered the most economical and environment-friendly approach in controlling the disease. The Lr38 gene, introgressed from Agropyron intermedium, confers a stable seedling and adult plant resistance against multiple isolates tested in Europe. In the present study, 94 F₂ plants resulting from a cross made between the resistant Thatcher-derived near-isogenic line (NIL) RL6097, and the susceptible Ethiopian wheat cultivar Kubsa were used to map the Thatcher Lr38 locus in wheat using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Out of 54 markers tested, 15 SSRs were polymorphic between the two parents and subsequently genotyped in the population. The P. triticina isolate DZ7-24 (race FGJTJ), discriminating Lr38 resistant and susceptible plants, was used to inoculate seedlings of the two parents and the segregating population. The SSR markers Xwmc773 and Xbarc273 flanked the Lr38 locus at a distance of 6.1 and 7.9 cM, respectively, to the proximal end of wheat chromosome arm 6DL. The SSR markers Xcfd5 and Xcfd60 both flanked the locus at a distance of 22.1 cM to the distal end of 6DL. In future, these SSR markers can be used by wheat breeders and pathologists for marker assisted selection (MAS) of Lr38-mediated leaf rust resistance in wheat.     

小麦品种中梁22抗条锈病基因的遗传分析和分子作图

对中梁22/铭贤169杂交F₂群体苗期抗条锈病鉴定及中国春单体系抗病基因的染色体定位发现, 中梁22携带1个显性(暂命名YrZhong22)和1个隐性抗病基因, 前者位于5B染色体。由中梁22´铭贤169的F₂群体构建抗病、感病池, 用SSR标记结合集群分离分析法(BSA), 建立了与YrZhong22连锁的4个微卫星标记Xwmc289、Xwmc810、Xgdm116和Xbarc232, 并将YrZhong22定位于小麦5BL染色体。YrZhong22与相邻微卫星位点Xwmc810和Xgdm116的遗传距离分别是2.7 cM和4.4 cM。系谱分析及分子标记分析表明, YrZhong22可能是一个来自中间偃麦草的新抗条锈病基因。     

小麦新品种济麦22抗白粉病基因的分子标记定位

为明确济麦22携带抗白粉病基因的染色体位置,利用济麦22与感病亲本中国春杂交,用小麦白粉菌(Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici)强毒性小种E20对F₂抗、感分离群体和F_2:3家系进行抗病鉴定和遗传分析。结果表明,济麦22携带1个显性抗白粉病基因, 暂被命名为PmJM22。运用SSR和EST标记及分离群体分组分析法(bulked segregant analysis, BSA),将其定位在2BL染色体上,与4个SSR和5个EST标记间的连锁距离为7.7 cM (Xwmc149)到31.3 cM (Xbarc101)。通过分析2BL上其他抗白粉病基因的来源、染色体位置和抗性反应,认为PmJM22不同于Pm6、Pm26、Pm33和MlZec1。     

来自野生二粒小麦IW3和IW10的两个白粉病基因的鉴定及SSR标记定位

野生二粒小麦(Triticum dicoccoides)是小麦抗病育种的重要资源库之一。来自以色列Mount Hermon的野生二粒小麦材料IW3 和IW10对我国小麦白粉病菌生理小种E09表现高抗。对硬粒小麦Langdon与IW3和IW10两个杂交组合F₂分离群体和F₃家系的遗传分析表明,IW3和IW10对小麦白粉菌E09的抗性均受显性单基因控制,暂被命名为MlIW3和MlIW10。采用BSA法和SSR标记分析,筛选到与抗白粉病基因MlIW3和MlIW10连锁的5个SSR标记,这两个基因均位于Xbarc84和Xwmc326之间,顺序为Xbarc84–4.6 cM–MlIW3–1.6 cM–Xwmc326和Xbarc84–6.6 cM–MlIW10–0.6 cM–Xwmc326。根据SSR分子标记的遗传图谱和在中国春的缺体—四体、双端体和缺失系的定位结果,这两个抗白粉病基因被定位在3BL染色体的末端。根据MlIW3和MlIW10的来源和分子标记定位结果,推断这两个基因可能是小麦抗白粉病基因Pm41或其等位基因或位于同一个基因簇中。     

Transfer of rust resistance from Aegilops ovata into bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and molecular characterisation of resistant derivatives

An interspecific cross was made to transfer leaf rust and stripe rust resistance from an accession of Aegilops ovata (UUMM) to susceptible Triticum aestivum (AABBDD) cv. WL711. The F₁was backcrossed to the recurrent wheat parent, and after two to three backcrosses and selfing, rust resistant progenies were selected. The C-banding study in a uniformly leaf rust and stripe rust resistant derivative showed a substitution of the 5M chromosome of Ae. ovata for 5D of wheat. Analysis of rust resistant derivatives with mapped wheat microsatellite makers confirmed the substitution of 5M for 5D. Some of these derivatives also possessed one or more of the three alien translocations involving 1BL, 2AL and 5BS wheat chromosomes which could not be detected through C-banding. A translocation involving 5DSof wheat and the substituted chromosome 5M of Ae. ovata was also observed in one of the derivatives. Susceptibility of this derivative to leaf rust showed that the leaf rust resistance gene(s) is/are located on short arm of 5M chromosome of Ae. ovata. Though the Ae. ovatasegment translocated to 1BL and 2AL did not seem to possess any rust resistance gene, the alien segment translocated to 5BS may also possess gene(s) for rust resistance. The study demonstrated the usefulness of microsatellite markers in characterisation of interspecific derivatives. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

川麦42的1BS染色体臂对小麦主要农艺性状的遗传效应

川麦42的1BS染色体臂来源于人工合成小麦亲本Syn769。利用川麦42与含1BL/1RS易位系的四川小麦品种川农16构建的127个重组自交系(RIL, F₈),经3年4个环境的遗传评价,比较了川麦42的1BS和川农16的1RS染色体臂对小麦产量构成因子和产量的遗传效应。结果表明,RIL群体中川麦42的1BS染色体臂株系和川农16的1RS染色体臂株系在分蘖力、成穗率、全生育期、小穗数、收获指数和籽粒产量6个性状上存在显著差异; 1BS染色体臂有利于提高成穗率和收获指数,而1RS染色体臂有利于提高分蘖能力和增加小穗数,1BS株系的籽粒平均产量比1RS株系增加2.91%。鉴于1RS染色体臂上的抗条锈病基因丧失抗性,其携带的黑麦碱基因对加工品质有明显的负向作用,而川麦42的1BS染色体臂携带高抗条锈病基因YrCH42, 并对小麦籽粒产量有正向作用,因此建议在小麦遗传改良中利用川麦42的1BS替换1RS染色体臂。     

Integration of marker-assisted selection for resistance to pre-harvest sprouting with selection for grain-filling rate in breeding of white-kernelled wheat for the Chinese environment

Few Chinese high yielding white-grained wheat cultivars possess sufficient dormancy to avoid pre-harvest sprouting (PHS). Because the field evaluation of PHS is difficult, the identification of informative molecular markers is a priority for improving the level of dormancy. In this report, the effectiveness of phenotypic and genotypic selection was compared. Four microsatellite loci Xbarc57, Xbarc294, Xbarc310 and Xbarc321, mapped on the short arm of chromosome 3A, were used for selection in white-grained wheat F₅ lines which were also selected on the basis of their grain filling rate (GFR). One of these (later designated cv. Zhongmai911) was further selected on the basis of its allelic constitution at the four SSR loci. This cultivar combines a high level of PHS resistance with high grain yield. The results suggested that rapid GFR and PHS resistance can be bred simultaneously.     

小麦骨干亲本“胜利麦/燕大1817”杂交组合后代衍生品种遗传构成解析

小麦地方品种燕大1817是我国小麦育种骨干亲本之一,胜利麦/燕大1817杂交组合是北部冬麦区小麦品种遗传改良的基础组合。利用随机分布于小麦全基因组21条染色体上的175对在胜利麦和燕大1817间具有多态性的SSR标记(每条染色体平均8.3对)分析了燕大1817和胜利麦对其38份后代衍生品种的遗传贡献率。结果表明,在全基因组水平上,燕大1817对其后代衍生品种贡献率为26.8%,胜利麦对其后代衍生品种贡献率为43.6%;在部分同源群水平上,燕大1817对其后代衍生品种A、B和D基因组的贡献率分别为25.9%、25.7和26.4%,胜利麦对其后代衍生品种A、B和D基因组的贡献率分别为46.1%、39.1%和44.0%。说明引进种质对我国北部冬麦区小麦品种遗传改良起了重要作用。在染色体水平上,胜利麦对其后代衍生品种的21条染色体贡献率在20.0%~63.3%间,其中对1A染色体贡献率仅有20.0%,对7A染色体贡献率高达63.3%。骨干亲本燕大1817对其后代衍生品种的21条染色体贡献率在7.5%~44.2%间,其中对2A染色体贡献率仅有7.5%,对7D染色体贡献率可达44.2%。骨干亲本燕大1817对后代衍生品种贡献率较高的基因组(单元型)区段有7个,分别是3A上的Xwmc11–Xcfa2262、7B上的Xbarc1073–Xwmc475、1AL上的Xgwm357–Xwmc312、7DS上的Xbarc305–Xwmc506、4AS上的 Xgwm165–Xgwm610、1B上的Xwmc419–Xwmc134和2D上的Xcfd56–Xbarc228,其中,3A染色体上的Xwmc11–Xcfa2262区段对衍生品种贡献率高达77.5%。而胜利麦对后代衍生品种贡献率较高的基因组(单元型)区段有8个,分别是6BS上的Xwmc105－Xwmc397、3D上的Xgdm72–Xgdm8、2DS上的Xgdm5–Xgwm455、7AL上的Xbarc121–Xgwm332、5DL上的Xgwm174–Xwmc161、5BL上的 Xgwm499–Xbarc308、5A上的Xbarc141–Xgwm291和4BL上的Xgwm66–Xgwm251,其中6BS上的Xwmc105–Xwmc397区段对衍生品种的贡献率最高,达71.3%。这些基因组(单元型)区段上存在许多与产量、抗病、抗逆和适应性等重要农艺性状相关的基因和QTL,对北部冬麦区小麦品种遗传改良可能起了重要作用。     

Identification of QTL associated with durable adult plant resistance to stem rust race Ug99 in wheat cultivar ‘Pavon 76’

Stem rust of wheat, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, was under control worldwide for over 30 years by utilizing genetic resistance. The emergence of stem rust in 1998 in eastern Africa in form of race Ug99 and its evolving variants with virulence to many resistance genes were recognized as potential threats to wheat production. In this study we identified genomic regions contributing to putatively durable, adult plant resistance (APR) to wheat stem rust. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 298 lines was previously developed at CIMMYT from a cross between ‘Avocet S’ and ‘Pavon 76’. Pavon 76 has been described to carry APR to stem rust. Avocet S carries the race-specific resistance gene Sr26. A subset of RILs without Sr26 segregated for APR to stem rust race Ug99 when evaluated in Kenya for three years. Single year and joint year analysis by inclusive composite interval mapping using 450 DArT markers identified five quantitative trait loci (QTL) that contributed to the resistance of wheat to stem rust race Ug99. Three of these, including QSr.cim-3B, which probably represents the Sr2 gene, were contributed by Pavon 76 whereas the remaining two QTL were contributed by Avocet S. QSr.cim-3B, or putatively Sr2, on chromosome arm 3BS explained 32 % of the phenotypic variation while the additional QTL in Pavon contributed 24 and 20 %, respectively. Two QTL from Avocet S explained 8 and 6 % of phenotypic variance, respectively. A combination of APR QTL from the two parents resulted in transgressive segregants expressing higher levels of resistance than Pavon 76. Our results indicate that it is possible to accumulate several minor resistance genes each with a small to intermediate effect resulting in a variety that exhibits negligible disease levels even under high stem rust pressure.     

来自野生二粒小麦IW3和IW10的两个白粉病基因的鉴定及SSR标记定位

野生二粒小麦(Triticum dicoccoides)是小麦抗病育种的重要资源库之一。来自以色列Mount Hermon的野生二粒小麦材料IW3 和IW10对我国小麦白粉病菌生理小种E09表现高抗。对硬粒小麦Langdon与IW3和IW10两个杂交组合F₂分离群体和F₃家系的遗传分析表明,IW3和IW10对小麦白粉菌E09的抗性均受显性单基因控制,暂被命名为MlIW3和MlIW10。采用BSA法和SSR标记分析,筛选到与抗白粉病基因MlIW3和MlIW10连锁的5个SSR标记,这两个基因均位于Xbarc84和Xwmc326之间,顺序为Xbarc84–4.6 cM–MlIW3–1.6 cM–Xwmc326和Xbarc84–6.6 cM–MlIW10–0.6 cM–Xwmc326。根据SSR分子标记的遗传图谱和在中国春的缺体—四体、双端体和缺失系的定位结果,这两个抗白粉病基因被定位在3BL染色体的末端。根据MlIW3和MlIW10的来源和分子标记定位结果,推断这两个基因可能是小麦抗白粉病基因Pm41或其等位基因或位于同一个基因簇中。     

Molecular tagging of a stripe rust resistance gene in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops tauschii</Emphasis>

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (PST), is one of the most important diseases of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). China has the largest stripe rust epidemic areas in the world and yield losses can be large. Aegilops tauschii Coss, the D-genome progenitor of common wheat, includes two subspecies, tauschii and strangulata (Eig) Tzvel. The ssp. strangulata accession AS2388 is highly resistant to the prevailing physiological races of PST in China, and possesses a single dominant gene for stripe rust resistance. In order to tag this gene, AS2388 was crossed with the highly susceptible ssp. tauschii accession AS87. The parents, F₂ plants, and F_2:3 families were tested at adult plant stage in field trials with six currently prevailing races. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were used to identify molecular markers linked to the resistance gene. SSR markers Xwmc285 and Xwmc617 were linked to the resistance gene on chromosome arm 4DS flanking it at 1.7 and 34.6 cM, respectively. Based on the chromosomal location, this gene temporarily designated as YrAS2388 is probably novel. The resistance in Ae. tauschii AS2388 was partially expressed in two newly developed synthetic hexaploid backgrounds.     

Leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes Lr54 and Yr37 transferred to wheat from Aegilops kotschyi

The tendency of unpaired meiotic chromosomes to undergo centric misdivision was exploited to translocate leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes from an Aegilops kotschyi addition chromosome to a group 2 chromosome of wheat. Monosomic and telosomic analyses showed that the translocation occurred to wheat chromosome arm 2DL. The introgressed region did not pair with the corresponding wheat 2DL telosome during meiosis suggesting that a whole arm may have been transferred. Female transmission of the resistance was about 55% whereas male transmission was strongly preferential (96%). The symbols Lr54 and Yr37 are proposed to designate the new resistance genes.     

Validation of a major QTL for scab resistance with SSR markers and use of marker-assisted selection in wheat

The objectives of this study were to validate the major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for scab resistance on the short arm of chromosome 3B in bread wheat and to isolate near‐isogenic lines for this QTL using marker‐assisted selection (MAS). Two resistant by susceptible populations, both using ‘Ning7840’ as the source of resistance, were developed to examine the effect of the 3BS QTL in different genetic backgrounds. Data for scab resistance and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to the resistance QTL were analyzed in the F_2:3 lines of one population and in the F_3:4 lines of the other. Markers linked to the major QTL on chromosome 3BS in the original mapping population (‘Ning7840’/‘Clark’) were closely associated with scab resistance in both validation populations. Marker‐assisted selection for the QTL with the SSR markers combined with phenotypic selection was more effective than selection based solely on phenotypic evaluation in early generations. Marker‐assisted selection of the major QTL during the seedling stage plus phenotypic selection after flowering effectively identified scab resistant lines in this experiment. Near‐isogenic lines for this 3BS QTL were isolated from the F₆ generation of the cross ‘Ning7840’/‘IL89‐7978’ based on two flanking SSR markers, Xgwm389 and Xbarc147. Based on these results, MAS for the major scab resistance QTL can improve selection efficiency and may facilitate stacking of scab resistance genes from different sources.