Microsatellite mapping of complementary genes for purple grain colour in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) L.

Complementary genes for purple grain colour Pp1, Pp2, Pp3 (now designated Pp1, Pp3b, Pp3a, respectively) were mapped using crosses between purple-grained hexaploid wheats ‘Purple Feed’ – Pp1Pp1/Pp2Pp2 (Pp1Pp1/Pp3bPp3b), ‘Purple’ – Pp1Pp1/Pp3Pp3 (Pp1Pp1/Pp3aPp3a) with non-purple-grained cultivars ‘Novosibirskaya 67’ (‘N67’) and ‘Saratovskaya 29’ (‘S29’). The genes Pp2 (Pp3b) and Pp3 (Pp3a) were inherited as monofactorial dominant when purple-grained wheats were crossed to ‘N67’. Both were mapped in the centromeric region of the chromosome 2A. Therefore, they were suggested being different alleles at the same locus and designated Pp3a and Pp3b. In the crosses between purple-grained wheats and ‘S29’ a segregation ratio of 9 (purple) to 7 (non purple) was obtained suggesting a complementary interaction of two dominant genes, Pp1 and Pp3. To map Pp1 as a single gene, the influence of the other Pp gene was taken into consideration by determining the Pp3 genotype of the F₂ plants. The gene was mapped on chromosome 7BL, about 24 cM distal to the centromere. The Pp1gene was shown to be non allelic to the Rc-1 (red coleoptile) and Pc (purple culm) genes, contrary to what was previously suggested. The colouration caused by the Pp genes has no effect on pre-harvest sprouting.     

Mapping of a novel,major late blight resistance locus in the diploid (1EBN) Mexican Solanum pinnatisectum Dunal on chromosome VII

Late blight caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary (Pi) is the most important foliar disease of potato worldwide. An intraspecific hybrid between individuals of a resistant and a susceptible S. pinnatisectum accession was backcrossed to the susceptible parent to generate a segregating population for late blight resistance consisting of 84 plants. In detached‐leaflet assays, reaction to late blight segregated in a 1r:1s manner in BC₁ progeny indicating the presence of a single dominant resistance gene. A genetic map was constructed based on 1,583 DArT/SSR markers which were allocated to 12 linkage groups, covering 1,793.5 cM with an average marker distance of 1.1 cM. The late blight resistance locus derived from S. pinnatisectum was mapped on chromosome VII. In comparison with the previously reported resistance genes Rpi1 and Rpi2, the new target resistance locus most likely is located on the opposite arm of chromosome VII. Results of this study will serve as a basis for future fine mapping of the late blight resistance locus and the development of locus‐specific markers for marker‐assisted selection.     

Linkage and quantitative trait locus mapping of foliage late blight resistance in the wild species Solanum vernei

The global cultivation of potato (Solanum tuberosum) is threatened by epidemics caused by new variants of the late blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans. New sources of durable late blight resistance are urgently needed and these may be found in wild Solanum species. The diploid wild species, S. vernei, has not previously been subjected to mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for late blight resistance. Two populations designated HGIHJS and HGG, originating from a cross between a clone of S. vernei and two different S. tuberosum clones were evaluated in field trials for late blight infestation. The relative area under the disease progress curve (RAUDPC) was estimated and used for QTL mapping. A linkage map of S. vernei, comprising 11 linkage groups, nine of which could be assigned to chromosomes, was constructed. Results indicated that the resistance in S. vernei was quantitatively inherited. Significant QTLs for late blight resistance were identified on chromosomes VIII (HGG), VI and IX (HGIHJS). In addition, potential QTLs were detected on chromosomes VII (HGIHJS) and IX (HGG). A putative and a significant QTL for tuber yield were found on chromosomes VI and VII in HGG, but no linkage between yield and resistance was indicated. The QTL for late blight resistance, which mapped to chromosome IX, could be useful for late blight resistance breeding as it was located close to the microsatellite marker STM1051 in both populations.     

Tagging quantitative trait loci for dormancy, tuber shape, regularity of tuber shape, eye depth and flesh colour in diploid potato originated from six Solanum species

Potato breeding aims at breeding diversified cultivars not only suitable for different purposes, but also resistant to diseases, such as late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans , which is a major constraint in potato production. Resistance to P. infestans has been previously introduced into the diploid hybrid population 98-21 from Solanum verrucosum and Solanum microdontum . In the present study, we assessed the segregation of tuber dormancy, tuber shape, regularity of tuber shape, eye depth and flesh colour in this population. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) affecting these important quality traits were tagged using the genetic map developed for this population to locate QTLs for late blight resistance. The most prominent QTL for dormancy was detected on chromosome II and explained 7.1% of the variance. The most important QTLs for tuber eye depth, flesh colour, shape and shape regularity were identified on chromosomes X ( R ² = 14.7%), IV ( R ² = 5.8%), II ( R ² = 8.0%) and III ( R ² = 10.4%) respectively. All traits were also affected by minor QTLs. The obtained results improve our understanding of the inheritance of traits relevant for variety development in potato.     

Genetic advance for chip colour in potatoes

Summary The objective of this study was to investigate the response to selection for chip colour after harvest (CH), storage at 12.8°C (CR) and at 3°C (CC) in three hybrid populations. Population 1 was derived from crossing ND860-2 (cold chipper) with F58089 (regular chipper), Population 2 was obtained from crossing ND860-2 with Russette (nonchipper), and Population 3 was derived from crossing Russette with F58089. Eighty-five to ninety-six random clones for each population plus ten check cultivars were planted in 1991 at two locations in East Canada. For CH, Population 3 had the highest predicted gain. No genetic variation for this trait was detected in Population 1. The potential genetic advance by selection within Population 1, as measured by the predicted mean of the selected clones, however, was similar to the others because Population 1 has a higher mean. For CR, Populations 2 and 3 had similar expected response estimates. Population 1 had no genetic variation for CR but showed similar potential advance to Population 2 and higher than Population 3. For CC, Population 2 had the highest predicted gain. The predicted means of selected clones of Populations 1 and 2 were higher than that of Population 3. Consequently, Populations 1 and 2 had greater potential for improvement for CC than Population 3.     

Quantitative trait loci mapping of seed colour,hairy leaf,seedling anthocyanin,leaf chlorosis and days to flowering in F2 population of Brassica rapa L.

A diversity arrays technology (DArT) map was constructed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting seed colour, hairy leaf, seedling anthocyanin, leaf chlorosis and days to flowering in Brassica rapa using a F₂ population from a cross between two parents with contrasting traits. Two genes with dominant epistatic interaction were responsible for seed colour. One major dominant gene controls the hairy leaf trait. Seedling anthocyanin was controlled by a major single dominant gene. The parents did not exhibit leaf chlorosis; however, 32% F₂ plants showed leaf chlorosis in the population. A distorted segregation was observed for days to flowering in the F₂ population. A linkage map was constructed with 376 DArT markers distributed over 12 linkage groups covering 579.7 cM. The DArT markers were assigned on different chromosomes of B. rapa using B. rapa genome sequences and DArT consensus map of B. napus. Two QTL (RSC1‐2 and RSC12‐56) located on chromosome A8 and chromosome A9 were identified for seed colour, which explained 19.4% and 18.2% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. The seed colour marker located in the ortholog to Arabidopsis thaliana Transparent Testa2 (AtTT2). Two QTL RLH6‐0 and RLH9‐16 were identified for hairy leaf, which explained 31.6% and 20.7% phenotypic variation, respectively. A single QTL (RSAn‐12‐157) on chromosome A7, which explained 12.8% of phenotypic variation was detected for seedling anthocyanin. The seedling anthocyanin marker is found within the A. thaliana Transparent Testa12 (AtTT12) ortholog. A QTL (RLC6‐04) for leaf chlorosis was identified, which explained 55.3% of phenotypic variation. QTL for hairy leaf and leaf chlorosis were located 0–4 cM apart on the same chromosome A1. A single QTL (RDF‐10‐0) for days to flowering was identified, which explained 21.4% phenotypic variation.     

QTL mapping for flour and noodle colour components and yellow pigment content in common wheat

Improvement of flour colour is an important breeding objective for various wheat-based end-products. The objectives of this study were to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for flour colour components and yellow pigment content (YPC), using 240 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between the Chinese wheat cultivars PH82-2 and Neixiang 188. Field trials were performed in a Latinized α-lattice design in Anyang and Jiaozuo, Henan Province and Taian, Shandong, in the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 cropping seasons providing data for six environments. One hundred and eighty-eight polymorphic SSR markers, rye secalin marker Sec1, STS markers YP7A for a phytoene synthase gene (Psy-A1), and four glutenin subunit markers, were used to genotype the population and construct the linkage map for subsequent QTL analysis. Two major QTL were detected for YPC, associated with 1RS (1B.1R translocation) and the Psy-A1 (7A) gene, explaining 31.9% and 33.9% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. 1RS also had large influences on Fa*, Fb*, KJ, NL*and Nb*, and Psy-A1 genes showed large effects on Fa*, Fb*, Kj, Fci, NL*, Na* and Nb*, explaining from 4.5 to 26.1% and 4.3 to 35.9% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. In addition, QTL for flour colour parameters and yellow pigment content were also detected on chromosomes 1A and 4A, accounting for 1.5–4.1% of the phenotypic variance. The genetic effect of the 1B.1R translocation on flour colour parameters was also discussed.     

Molecular breeding for resistance to Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.): a perspective of cisgenesis

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is one of the most devastating diseases in potato cultivation and is mostly controlled by the application of chemicals. However, introduction of combinations of resistance ( R ) genes conferring broad-spectrum resistance from wild Solanum species into cultivated potatoes is considered the most practical and promising approach to achieve durable resistance. This can be realized via classical breeding or genetic modification (GM). Because classical breeding is very time-consuming and is often hampered by linkage drag, a GM approach seems logic in this heterozygous and vegetatively propagated crop. During the last decades, many R genes have been identified in several wild Solanum species. Some have been cloned and more will follow. When these genes are derived from species crossable with cultivated potato (so-called cisgenes), application in resistance breeding using a GM approach is similar to an introgression breeding approach, in that the exploited genes are indigenous to the crop. Pending deregulation or derogation of cisgenesis, the use of cisgenic R genes would be an ideal strategy to accomplish durable resistance in potato.     

Recommended isolation distances for the field multiplication of diploid tuber-bearing Solanum species

The sexual propagation of genebank accessions by hand pollination in the greenhouse is a very expensive and time-consuming routine task. The self-incompatibility of most diploid potato species allows their multiplication in isolated field plots, which is coupled with the advantage of the presence of natural pollinators and maintaining a high level of heterozygosity. The aim of this study was to determine the isolation distance required for minimizing pollen flow between neighbouring multiplication plots. The Solanum phureja clone IVP48 was used as the pollen donor since it possesses a dominant seed marker (‘embryo spot’). The centrally located pollen donor was surrounded by S. phureja recipient plots at distances of 10,20,40, and 80 m, respectively. The average pollen contamination ranged from 0.2% in the plots 80 m from the pollen donor to 5.1% in those 10 m away. In this study, procedures are suggested which will help to reduce cross-pollination between accessions.     

The action of three Beet yellows virus resistance QTLs depends on alleles at a novel genetic locus that controls symptom development

Beet yellows virus (BYV) can dramatically reduce yield from sugar beet crops. A BYV resistant plant from a Beta germplasm accession was crossed with a sugar beet plant to generate the segregating population BYV1. This population was evaluated for BYV resistance and analysed with amplified fragment length polymorphism and single-nucleotide polymorphism markers to identify resistance loci. At 2 weeks after inoculation a number of plants displayed either mosaic or vein-clearing disease symptoms on infected leaves. The locus that largely controlled this disease reaction was mapped to chromosome IV. We refer to this novel genetic locus as Vc1 . Three BYV resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified and mapped to chromosomes III, V and VI. QTL mapping results suggested that the chromosome III and V QTLs acted only in plants with mosaic symptoms and that the chromosome VI QTL acted only in plants with the mosaic symptom allele of Vc1 . These findings agreed with further statistical tests using general linear model analysis. There is now the potential to breed for BYV resistance using molecular marker technology.     

Genetic segregation of the deformed flower gene in trisomics of Solanum chacoense

Summary The gene df (deformed flower), which is expressed as short anther in sensitive cytoplasm, has been incorporated into the trisomic series of S. chacoense Bitt. The cytoplasmic sensitivity and genotypes for the gene df were tested in the original trisomics and their parents. Two diploid parents were found to be homozygous dominant for Df, while one was homozygous recessive. All the parents and trisomics tested had resistant cytoplasm. Six trisomics were heterozygous for df, segregating with a 1:1 ratio when they were crossed to the homozygous testers ([df ^s]dfdf). When the F₁ trisomics (trisomics x [Df ^r]dfdf) were crossed to the homozygous testers, nine of the 13 trisomics segregated with a 1:1 ratio, three with a 0:1 ratio (all deformed) and one trisomic (V1682.3) with a 2:1 ratio. All the parents of the trisomic V1682.3 were homozygous dominant for Df. This clone is believed to be trisomic for the gene df.Cooperative investigation of the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Wisconsin Experiment Station, Madison.     

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of silique length and petal colour in Brassica rapa

Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Brassica rapa L. cv. ‘Sampad’, and an inbred line 3‐0026.027 was used to map the loci controlling silique length and petal colour. The RILs were evaluated under four environments. Variation for silique length in the RILs ranged from normal, such as ‘Sampad’, to short silique, such as 3‐0026.027. Three QTL, SLA3, SLA5 and SLA7, were detected on the linkage groups A3, A5 and A7, respectively. These QTL explained 36.0 to 42.3% total phenotypic variance in the individual environments and collectively 32.5% phenotypic variance. No additive × additive epistatic interaction was detected between the three QTL. Moreover, no QTL × environment interaction was detected in any of the four environments. The number of loci for silique length detected based on QTL mapping agrees well with the results from segregation analysis of the RILs. In case of petal colour, a single locus governing this trait was detected on the linkage group A2.     

Expression of nonacclimated freezing tolerance and cold acclimation capacity in somatic hybrids between hardy wild Solanum species and cultivated potatoes

The expression of freezing tolerance was characterized in interspecific somatic hybrids between S. tuberosum (tbr) and two cold-hardy wild species, S. brevidens (brd) and S. commersonii (cmm). The nonacclimated freezing tolerance (NA) and acclimation capacity (ACC, increase in freezing tolerance in response to low nonfreezing temperature), two main genetic components of freezing tolerance, were evaluated separately. In contrast to cmm, which exhibited excellent NA and ACC, the freezing tolerance of brd was mainly due to ACC. However, the ACC of brd was only moderately expressed in the somatic hybrids. The NA of cmm was also suppressed in combination with tbr genomes. However, with acclimation, some of the tbr (+) cmm somatic hybrids achieved freezing tolerance comparable to pure hardy species such as brd used in this study. Analysis of chloroplast DNA type by RFLP markers revealed no significant difference in ACC between somatic hybrids carrying chloroplasts from either tbr or cmm. The reasons for the reduced expression of freezing tolerance from either the brd or cmm parent and the utilization of these somatic hybrids in breeding programs are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

RFLP mapping of a new cereal cyst nematode resistance locus in barley

Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) ( Heterodera avenae Woll.) is an economically damaging pest of barley in many of the worlds cereal growing areas. The development of CCN-resistant cultivars may be accelerated with the application of molecular markers. Three resistance genes against the pest have been mapped previously to chromosome 2 ( Ha 1, Ha 2 and Ha 3). In this study, a third gene present in the Australian barley variety 'Galleon' derived from the landrace 'CI3576' was located. Segregation analysis of CCN resistance data derived from doubled haploid populations of the cross 'Haruna Nijo'×'Galleon' identified a single major locus controlling CCN resistance in the variety 'Galleon'. This locus mapped to the long arm of chromosome 5H estimated to be 6.2 cM from the known function restriction fragment length polymorphism marker XYL (xylanase). While five genes for CCN resistance, including Ha2, have been mapped to group 2 chromosomes in the Triticeae, no gene other than Ha4 has been identified on group 5 chromosomes.     

Identification and mapping of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers linked to a rhizomania resistance gene in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) by bulked segregant analysis

Bulked segregant analysis was employed to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to a gene that confers rhizomania resistance to a sugar beet line created from a Holly Sugar Company breeding population (USA). Polymorphism revealed with 160 arbitrary 10-mer oligonucleotide primers was screened in two bulks produced by separately pooling the individual DNAs from the six most resistant and the six most susceptible plants of an F₂ population segregating for rhizomania resistance. A study of the F₂ individuals showed that 19 primers generated 44 polymorphic markers which were then grouped into nine linkage groups. By analysis of variance, 12 were shown to have a significant effect upon the level of resistance and were mapped on a segment 22.3 cM long. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) of resistance was identified and located in a 4.6cM interval between two markers. It accounted for 67.4% of the observed variation and almost all the genetic variation. These results suggest that the identified QTL corresponds to a unique major gene conditioning the Holly resistance studied, which we have named Rz-l.     

Breeding of the cultivated potato species Solanum x juzepczukii Buk. and Solanum x curtilobum Juz. etBuk.

Summary This study investigated the possibility of recombining anew the genomes of the wild and cultivated progenitors of triploid S. juzepczukii and pentaploid S. curtilobum by following the known evolutionary pathway of these two species. Before starting the actual breeding work, the natural variation of S. juzepczukii, S. curtilobum and their wild progenitor S. acaule was studied from the point of view of morphology, quantitative and qualitative tuber glycoalkaloid content and frost resistance. The morphological study was supplemented by a study of the soluble tuber proteins employing polyacrylamide slab-electrophoresis. From 137 accession of S. juzepczukii only 19 morphotypes were identified, 18 of which were also different in their protein spectra. The only red-tubered S. juzepczukii revealed a protein spectrum identical to that of the largest white-tubered group. On phylogenetic grounds, the occurrence of a red-tubered S. juzepczukii cannot be explained. It is concluded that this red clone is a somatic mutant for tuber colour which arose from a whitetubered clone. S. curtilobum was restricted in its variation to just two morphotypes differing only in tuber colour which are, however, identical chemotypes. This would be the case if one of the clones was a somatic mutant for tuber colour from the other one. The glycoalkaloids -solanine, -chaconine, tomatine, demissine and - and -solamarine are shown to be useful taxonomic characters which confirm earlier hypotheses on the origin of S. juzepczukii and S. curtilobum. Laboratory tests showed the two cultivated species to be resistant to about –3°C whereas S. acaule is resistant to temperatures sometimes below–5°C. The diploid progenitor of S. juzepczukii, S. stenotomum, also has forms resistant to –3°C. The results of this study demonstrate that the proposed breeding scheme is possible.     

Molecular stability of the ribosomal RNA genes in Solanum tuberosum plants recovered from slow growth and cryopreservation

Summary Ribosomal gene (rDNA) probes have been used to assess genomic changes in plants of (1) S. tuberosum cv Desiree subjected to slow growth and (2) S. tuberosum cv Golden Wonder recovered from cryopreservation. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were detected in two out of 16 DNA samples extracted from plants derived from slow growth, control plants did not show RFLP differences. Plants recovered from cryopreserved shoot-tips of Golden Wonder were unchanged in their ribosomal gene RFLP profile compared to the untreated controls. The use of rDNA probes as tools to assess stability, and the possible detrimental effects of slow growth, somaclonal variation, cryoprotectants, and freezing injury are discussed.     

Pollen-style compatibility relations in natural populations of the wild diploid potato species Solanum spegazzinii Bitt.

Solanum spegazzinii Bitt., a wild diploid potato species endemic to Argentina, possesses resistance to adverse biotic and abiotic agents. Northwestern Argentinean populations grouped according to their morphological variability (G1 = localities East of the Calchaquí Valley, G2 = Calchaquí Valley and G3 = locality Belén) presented problems in seed set following controlled crosses. Thus, to evaluate if the morphological variability previously reported was sustained on a genetic basis, three introductions per group and five plants per introduction were used in controlled crosses (genotypic combinations). These were classified according to the number of seeds produced per fruit. Pollen-style compatibility relations were studied in those crosses that did not set seeds or that produced less than 30 seeds each. Within groups, G1 produced seeds normally, whereas hybridization barriers were found in 71.4% and 50.0% of the combinations within G2 and G3, respectively; on the other hand, from 46.7% to 73.3% of the combinations among groups exhibited similar barriers. Variability in the expression of the sites of pollen tube inhibition in the style was observed both within and among groups. Speculations are made on the possible hybrid origin of the populations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Molecular mapping of a locus controlling resistance to Albugo candida in Indian mustard

Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss is widely grown as an oilseed crop in the Indian subcontinent. White rust disease caused by Albugo candida (Pers.) Kuntze is a serious disease of this crop causing considerable yield loss every year. The present study was undertaken to identify molecular markers for the locus controlling white rust resistance in a mustard accession, BEC‐144, using a set of 94 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). The screening of individual RILs using an isolate highly virulent on the popular Indian cultivar ‘Varuna’ revealed the presence of a major locus for rust resistance in BEC‐144. Based on screening of 186 decamer primers employing bulked segregant analysis (BSA), 11 random amplified polymorphic DNA markers were identified, which distinguished the parental lines and the bulks. Five of these markers showed linkage with the rust resistance locus. Two markers, OPN0_l000 and OPB06₁₀₀₀, were linked in coupling and repulsion phases at 9.9 cM and 5.5 cM, respectively, on either side of the locus. The presence of only two double recombinants in a population of 94 RILs suggested that the simultaneous use of both markers would ensure efficient transfer of the target gene in mustard breeding programmes.