Utilization of deletions to localize a gene for resistance to the cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avenue, on an Aegilops ventricosa chromosome

A previous RFLP analysis showed that the Aegilops ventricosa chromosome 6M^V which compensates for the absence of 6D in 6M^V (6D) wheat substitution lines was a 2/6 translocated chromosome, either 2S–6S.6L or 2S–6L.6S. The distal part of its long arm consists of a translocated segment belonging to homoeologous group 2. Chromosome 6M^V carries a gene(s) for resistance to cereal cyst nematode. In order to define the part of 6M^V (2S or 6S or 6L) involved in this resistance, addition lines with a 6M^V deleted either for its short arm or for the distal part of its long arm were evaluated. It was shown that the gene(s) is carried by the group 2 translocated segment. The hypothesis that the gene(s) could be allelic to Cre2, another gene conferring resistance to the nematode introduced into the wheat complement from Ae. ventricosa is discussed.