Development of NILs from heterogeneous inbred families for validating the rust resistance QTL in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Heterogeneous inbred families segregating for rust resistance were identified from the two crosses involving susceptible (TAG 24 and TG 26) and resistant (GPBD 4) varieties of peanut. Rust‐resistant (less than score 5) and rust‐susceptible (more than score 5) plants were identified in each HIF and evaluated under rust epiphytotic conditions. The set of plants belonging to the same HIF, but differing significantly in rust resistance, not in other morphological and productivity traits, was regarded as near‐isogenic lines (NILs). Largely, rust‐resistant NILs had GPBD 4‐type allele, and susceptible NILs carried either TAG 24 or TG 26‐type allele at the three SSR loci (IPAHM103, GM1536 and GM2301) linked to a major genomic region governing rust resistance. Comparison of the remaining genomic regions between the NILs originating from each of the HIFs using transposon markers indicated a considerably high similarity of 86.4% and 83.1% in TAG 24 × GPPBD 4 and TG 26 × GPBD 4, respectively. These NILs are useful for fine mapping and expression analysis of rust resistance.     

QTL mapping of BNYVV resistance from the WB258 source in sugar beet

Rhizomania, caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), is an important sugar‐beet disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate and map BNYVV resistance from the WB258 source. Presence of a major resistance gene (termed Rz5) was indicated by ～1 : 1 segregation of virus levels in a population of 170 individuals derived from WB258. The maximum logarithm of odds (LOD) position for Rz5, identified by interval mapping, explained ～81% of the phenotypic variance. Rz5 was mapped alongside the previously identified Rz4 from the R36 source. Rz4 and Rz5 were located to 6.9 cM and 6.0 cM regions, respectively, on chromosome III by interval mapping. These locations corresponded well to the position of the widely deployed Rz1 gene, suggesting that the three genes could represent an allelic series. Physical mapping is probably required to confirm this however. BNYVV resistance genes from novel sources are potentially important in breeding for more durable resistance either as separate genes or as BNYVV race‐specific alleles.     

The perspectives of polygenic resistance in breeding for durable disease resistance

Polygenic resistance is generally quantitative without clear race specific effects. With the onset of molecular markers technologies, the identification of chromosome regions that are involved in quantitative resistance has become feasible. These regions are designated quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The mapping of `major' QTLs can be independent of environment, season, year or race of the challenging pathogen. However, the detection of minor QTLs may be dependent on the `environment'. As QTLs are defined by the position on the genome and the quantitative effect on resistance, they are not informative about the mechanism of resistance. By comparing QTL with the loci that are involved in race specific resistance the coincidence of these loci may suggest a common mechanism. However, the histological characterisation of the resistance is more informative about the resistance mechanism. Estimations about the durability of polygenic, quantitative resistance are still academic as there is hardly any experience with large-scale usage of quantitative resistance over a longer period. The clearest example of non-durable resistance is race specific monogenic resistance that is associated with a hypersensitive response (HR). Hence, there is a great chance that polygenic resistance that is not associated with HR is more durable. In some pathosystems with a long experience with non-durable race specific HR genes, quantitative resistance offers a good alternative and marker-assisted breeding will facilitate the exploitation of these resistance for commercial purposes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phenotypic and marker-assisted evaluation of spring and winter wheat germplasm for resistance to fusarium head blight

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium species, is among the most devastating wheat diseases, causing losses in numerous sectors of the grain industry through yield and quality reduction, and the accumulation of poisonous mycotoxins. A germplasm collection of spring and winter wheat, including nine reference cultivars, was tested for Type II FHB resistance and deoxynivalenol (DON) content. Genetic diversity was evaluated on the basis of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers linked to FHB resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers. The allele size of the SSR markers linked to FHB resistance QTLs from known resistance sources was compared to a germplasm collection to determine the presence of these QTLs and to identify potentially novel sources of resistance. Forty-two accessions were identified as resistant or moderately resistant to Fusarium spread, and two also had very low DON concentrations. Genetic relationships among wheat accessions were generally consistent with their geographic distribution and pedigree. SSR analysis revealed that several resistant accessions carried up to four of the tested QTLs. Resistant and moderately resistant lines without any known QTLs are considered to be novel sources of resistance that could be used for further genetic studies.     

Phenotypic and marker‐assisted pyramiding of genes for resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus in oilseed pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)

We report on the identification of phenotypic and molecular markers for genes introgressed into oilseed pumpkin Cucurbita pepo from C. moschata germplasm originating in Nigeria, Portugal and Puerto Rico, which provide resistance against zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and on pyramiding these genes for improved and long‐lasting field protection of oilseed pumpkins. One SCAR and two SSR markers have been found for three dominant resistance genes, Zym‐0, Zym‐1 and Zym‐2. Characteristic reactions to ZYMV inoculation of plants carrying the recessive genes for resistance zym‐4* and zym‐6 have been defined. Described are procedures and results of pyramiding various combinations of these genes in oilseed pumpkin using the three markers and the specific phenotypic reactions to infection of some of these genes. The putative combination of all six resistance genes in one genotype resulted in a resistance that appeared to be at least as strong as or even stronger than that of the resistance source germplasm in C. moschata.     

甘蔗抗黄锈病G1标记的分子检测及候选抗病基因WAK的分析

甘蔗黄锈病是屈恩柄锈菌(Puccinia kuehnii Butler)引起的一种世界性真菌病害,导致产量减少和糖分降低,给甘蔗产业造成严重损失。本研究采用抗黄锈病分子标记G1,检测我国和世界上重要的甘蔗栽培品种、野生种和近缘属的抗黄锈病基因,并对扩增的代表性特异条带进行克隆测序、功能注释和聚类分析,推测其抗性基因的起源和进化。G1检测结果表明,国内124份甘蔗栽培品种检测到G1标记的有83份,占66.9%;国外46份甘蔗栽培品种检测到G1标记的有31份,占67.4%。34份甘蔗野生种和近缘属中检测到G1标记的有17份,占50%,其中割手密种含有该基因比例最高,为100%。功能注释揭示,G1标记的候选基因编码一种细胞壁连接的类受体激酶,并在甘蔗栽培品种的单倍体蛋白组数据库中鉴定到3个相似度较高的蛋白,这些蛋白都有细胞壁受体激酶结构的胞外域、跨膜域和激酶活性的胞内域。聚类结果则清晰展示了抗病候选基因的起源及进化关系,具体可分为3组,第1组来源于割手密种和大茎野生种;第2组来源于大茎野生种、热带种和河八王属;第3组来源于割手密种、大茎野生种、中国种和栽培品种。研究结果为抗黄锈病甘蔗品种的选育提供重要的抗源支撑,并为抗性分子机制的解析奠定基础。     

Molecular mapping of greenbug (Schizaphis graminum) resistance gene Rsg1 in barley

The greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) is an extremely damaging aphid pest of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) particularly in the southern Great Plains of the USA. The simply inherited, dominant resistance gene Rsg1 is in all greenbug‐resistant US barley cultivars. In this study, we conducted molecular mapping of Rsg1 using an F_2:3 population derived from a cross between the greenbug‐resistant Post 90*4/R015 and susceptible CI2260 inbred lines. Segregation of host responses to greenbug biotype E infestation confirmed that a single dominant gene is responsible for greenbug resistance in Post 90*4/R015. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers evenly distributed along the seven barley chromosomes were employed for the construction of a framework genetic map. Linkage analysis placed the Rsg1 locus in the long arm of chromosome 3H (3HL) flanked by SSR markers Bmag0877 and GBM1420 that were 35 cM apart. Polymorphic single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in 3HL were identified from an Illumina GoldenGate SNP assay and used for targeted mapping to locate Rsg1 to an 8.4‐cM interval. Comparative analysis identified syntenic genomic regions in Brachypodium distachyon chromosome 2, in which 37 putative genes were annotated including a NB‐LRR‐type resistance gene homologue that may be a potential candidate gene for the Rsg1 locus of barley. Results from this study offer a starting point for fine mapping and cloning of this aphid resistance gene in barley.     

Mapping genes for resistance to sprouting damage in wheat

A series of experiments to investigate the genetic basis of pre-harvest sprouting are reported. The results are combined with previously published studies in a composite genetic map for sprout resistance in hexaploid wheat. Different studies, using classical genetics, aneuploids, chromosome substitutions, or QTL mapping, have identified various regions of the A, B, and D genomes affecting dormancy. Comparisons between the available studies lead to the following conclusions: • Different studies often identify different genetic loci, in part reflecting different sampling from the available gene pool. This implies that many loci are involved in determining resistance, and that new loci may be discovered as the number of mapping studies increases.• There are, however, examples where similar map locations are implicated over different crosses. These may reflect the detection of key resistance genes. • Finally, (genotype × environment) interactions are frequently observed. The implications of these observations for crop improvement and research programmes are discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Identification of isolate specific sources of scald resistance in Turkish barley (Hordeum vulgare) accessions

Disease reactions to specific Rhynchosporium secalis isolates from western Canada were characterized on forty Turkish Hordeum vulgare accessions. One accession, MEH151-1, exhibited resistance against isolate WRS1860 and was also resistant to isolates WRS1493 and WRS1824 which were avirulent to the Rh gene. A related line, MEH151-2 exhibited resistance to WRS1493 but not to WRS1860. Crosses between both MEH151-1 and MEH151-2, and the susceptible cultivar, Harrington, were used to demonstrate a linkage between resistance to WRS1493 and an allele specific amplicon, Falc666. Resistance to WRS1860 imparted by MEH151-1 was mapped to the other side of the Falc666 locus. Falc666 was previously shown to be located near the centromere on the long arm of chromosome 3. Characterization of the genetic basis for the scald resistance phenotype exhibited by these Turkish accessions, coupled with the identification of marker linkages, provides evidence for genetic variation in scald resistance in this chromosomal region. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pyramiding genes affecting sprouting resistance in Rye by means of marker assisted selection

The 541 × Ot1-3 intercross population and bulked segregant analysis (BSA) were used to search for molecular markers linked to genes underlying sprouting and alpha-amylase activity. Six RAPD markers showing association with studied traits were tested for their potential effectiveness in selecting sprouting resistant genotypes. It was shown that although individual effects of markers were not high, their accumulation in one genotype gives substantial increase in sprouting resistance.     

1994 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Towards a marker assisted breeding for resistance against apple scab

Summary We present the first attempts to find molecular markers (RAPDs) in the apple genome linked to theVf gene conferring resistance to scab. The availability of genetic markers will allow selection of individuals with resistance genes in progeny. Moreover genetic markers allow us to recognise individuals with minimal linkage drag in back-crossing experiments with wild species. The feasibility of the bulk-segregant analysis to identify linked markers has been demonstrated on several occasions (Martin et al., 1991; Giovannoni et al., 1991; Michelmore et al., 1991). In this paper we report the preliminary results proving that the method could also be applied successfully in allogamous plants.     

Molecular mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene Rph7 in barley

Leaf rust of barley, caused by Puccinia hordei Otth, is an important foliar disease in most temperate regions of the world. Sixteen major leaf rust resistance (Rph) genes have been described from barley, but only a few have been mapped. The leaf rust resistance gene Rph7 was first described from the cultivar ‘Cebada Capa’ and has proven effective in Europe. Previously mapped restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers have been used to determine the precise location of this gene in the barley genome. From the genetic analysis of a ‘Bow‐man’/‘Cebada Capa’ cross, Rph7 was mapped to the end of chromosome 3HS, 1.3 recombination units distal to the RFLP marker cMWG691. A codominant cleaved amplified polymorphic site (CAPS) marker was developed by exploiting allele‐specific sequence information of the cMWG691 site and adjacent fragments of genomic DNA. Based on the large amount of polymorphism present in this region, the CAPS marker may be useful for the marker‐assisted selection of Rph7 in most diverse genetic backgrounds.     

Identification of a major blast resistance gene in the rice cultivar 'Tetep'

Analysis of near‐isogenic lines (NILs) indicated the presence of a novel resistance gene in the indica rice cultivar ‘Tetep’ which was highly resistant to the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea.‘Tetep’ was crossed to the widely used susceptible cultivar ‘CO39’ to generate the mapping population. A Mendelian segregation ratio of 3 : 1 for resistant to susceptible F₂ plants further confirmed the presence of a major dominant locus, in ‘Tetep’, conferring resistance to the blast fungal isolate B157, corresponding to the international race IC9. Simple sequence length polymorphism (SSLP) was used for molecular genetic analysis. The analysis revealed that the SSLP marker RM 246 was linked to a novel blast resistance gene designated Pi‐tp(t) in ‘Tetep’.     

Molecular mapping of Cg1, a gene for resistance to anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) in sorghum

Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum sublineolum is one of the most destructive diseases of sorghum and has been reported in most areas where the crop is grown. Several control strategies have been developed but host plant resistance has been regarded as the most effective strategy for disease control. Here, we describe the search for molecular markers that co-segregate with Cg1, a dominant gene for resistance originally identified in cultivar SC748-5. To identify molecular markers linked with the Cg1 locus, F_2:3 plants derived from a cross to susceptible cultivar BTx623 were analyzed with 98 AFLP primer combinations. BTx623 was chosen as the susceptible parent because it is also one on the parents used in creating RFLP and AFLP maps and BAC libraries for sorghum. Four AFLP markers that cosegregate with disease resistance were identified, of which Xtxa6227 mapped within 1.8 cM of the anthracnose resistance locus and all four AFLP markers have been previously mapped to the end of sorghum linkage group LG-05. Sequence scanning of BAC clones spanning this chromosome led to the discovery that Xtxp549, a polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker, mapped within 3.6 cM of the anthracnose resistance locus. To examine the efficacy of Xtxa6227 and Xtxp549 for marker-assisted selection, 13 breeding lines derived from crosses with sorghum line SC748-5 were genotyped. In 12 of the 13 lines the Xtxa6227 and Xtxp549 polymorphism associated with the Cg1 locus was still present, suggesting that Xtxp549 and Xtxa6227 could be useful for marker-assisted selection and for pyramiding of Cg1 with other genes conferring resistance to C. sublineolum in sorghum.     

Genetic analysis of resistance in barley to barley yellow dwarf virus

The inheritance of resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) was studied in the selected 24 spring and winter barley cultivars that showed a high or intermediate resistance level in 1994‐97 field infection tests. The polymerase chain reaction diagnostic markers YLM and Ylp were used to identify the resistance gene Yd2. The presence of the Yd2 gene was detected with both markers in all the resistant spring barley cultivars and lines from the CIMMYT/ICARDA BYDV nurseries. The results of field tests and genetic analyses in winter barley corresponded with marker analyses only when the Ylp marker was used. Genes non‐allelic with Yd2 were detected by genetic analyses and the Ylp marker in moderately resistant spring barley cultivars ‘Malvaz’, ‘Atribut’ and ‘Madras’, and in the winter barley cultivars ‘Perry’ and ‘Sigra’. Significant levels of resistance to BYDV were obtained by combining the resistance gene Yd2 with genes detected in moderately resistant cultivars. The utilization of analysed resistance sources in barley breeding is discussed.     

Inheritance of angular leaf spot resistance in common bean line BAT 332 and identification of RAPD markers linked to the resistance gene

The existence of genetic variability for angular leaf spot (ALS) resistance in the common bean germplasm allows the development of breeding lines resistant to this disease. The BAT 332 line is an important resistance source to common bean ALS. In this work we determined the inheritance pattern and identified RAPD markers linked to a resistance gene present in BAT 332. Populations F₁, F₂,BCs and BCr derived from crosses between BAT 332 and cultivar Rudá were used. Rudá is a commercial cultivar with carioca type grains and susceptible to ALS. The resistance of BAT 332 to race 61.41 of the pathogen was confirmed. Segregation analysis of the plants indicated that a single dominant gene confers resistance. For identification of RAPD markers linked to the resistance gene, bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was used. Two RAPD markers,OPAA07₉₅₀ and OPAO12₉₅₀, linked in coupling phase at 5.10 and 5.83 cM of this gene, respectively, were identified. These molecular markers are important for common bean breeders and geneticists as source of genetic information and for marker assisted selection in breeding programs. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.