Evaluation of Chinese Triticeae for resistance to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV)

Summary Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) is recognised as a major pathological constraint to cereal production in northern China and several widespread epidemics have been reported. The host range of BYDV includes not only cereals but many grasses. The indigenous Triticeae of northern China have likely been exposed to significant disease pressure from BYDV and therefore may be a potential source of BYDV resistance for cereal improvement. A wide range of Triticeae accessions collected over three expeditions in northern China were evaluated for resistance to BYDV. Seedlings were artificially inoculated and virus levels then assayed by ELISA. Resistance and immunity to BYDV were found to be widely distributed among the seven genera of Triticeae included in the screening. A high proportion of resistant and immune accessions was found in the genera Hordeum, Leymus, Elymus and Elytrigia. The wide range of reaction types to BYDV found within many species, and even between accessions of some species, indicates that natural selection for BYDV resistance may have been relatively recent in the Chinese Triticeae. A high proportion of resistance and/or immunity was found in Xinjiang compared to the general distribution. From the Chinese Triticeae tested the Leymus species may be the most appropriate material to initiate transfer of BYDV resistance to wheat.