Exotic barley germplasms in breeding for resistance to soil-borne viruses

Summary Soil-borne mosaic inducing viruses, i.e., barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV), barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV), and BaYMV-2, cause one of the most important diseases of winter barley in Western Europe. Since resistance of all commercial European barley cultivars is due to a single recessive gene (ym4) which is not effective against BaYMV-2, exotic barley germplasms (Hordeum vulgare L., H. spontaneum Koch) were screened for resistance to the different viruses and analyzed for genetic diversity concerning BaMMV resistance. In these studies it turned out that resistance to BaMMV is entirely inherited recessively and that a high degree of genetic diversity concerning resistance is present within the barley gene pool at least to BaMMV. Therefore, exotic barley germplasms are a very useful source for the incorporation of different resistance genes into barley breeding lines, thereby enabling the breeder to create cultivars adapted to cultivation in the growing area of fields infested by soil-borne viruses. Furthermore, in order to obtain more information on these germplasms they were evaluated for agronomic traits and isozyme, RFLP and RAPD analyses were carried out on these varieties to detect markers linked to the respective resistance genes and to obtain information on the genetic similarity between yellow mosaic resistant barley accessions derived from different parts of the world. Actual results of these studies are briefly reviewed.     

Speed breeding for multiple disease resistance in barley

To respond faster to the changing climate, evolving pathogens and to feed a global population of 9–10 billion by 2050, plant breeders are exploring more efficient crop improvement strategies. In this study, we applied novel methodology for rapid trait introgression to the European two-rowed barley cultivar Scarlett. Scarlett is widely-grown in Argentina and is preferred for malting and brewing, yet lacks adequate disease resistance. We used four donor lines combining multiple disease resistance (i.e. leaf rust, net and spot forms of net blotch and spot blotch) in a modified backcross strategy, which incorporated both multi-trait phenotypic screens and the rapid generation advance technology ‘speed breeding’, to develop 87 BC₁F_3:4 Scarlett introgression lines (ILs) within two years. Phenotyping this set of lines in disease nurseries located in Australia and Uruguay revealed the ILs had high levels of multiple disease resistance. Preliminary yield testing of the 12 most promising ILs in Argentina identified three ILs that were significantly higher yielding than Scarlett at Balcarce, whereas all 12 ILs displayed yield equivalent to Scarlett at Tres Arroyos. We propose that this approach is useful to rapidly transfer genes for multiple target traits into adapted cereal cultivars or pyramiding desirable traits in elite breeding material.     

Parial resistance in the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar 'Chikurin Ibaraki 1' to two PAV-like isolates of barley yellow-dwarf virus: allelic variability at the Yd2 gene locus

The Japanese barley cultivar, ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’, is partially resistant to the PAV serotype of barley yellow-dwarf virus (BYDV), but its induced mutant line, Ea52, is susceptible. The inheritance of resistance in cv. ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ to BYDV-PAV was investigated. The F, and F2 plants of crosses of cvs ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’, Ea52, ‘Vixen’, carrying the Yd2 gene of resistance, and ‘Plaisant’, a susceptible French cultivar, were tested in growth chamber and field conditions. Isolate RG, against which ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ is partially resistant in growth chamber and field conditions, and isolate 2t, which overcomes the partial resistance of ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ in field conditions (Chalhoub et al. 1994) were used. The segregation of F2 plants of crosses between ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ and the susceptible cultivars to isolate RG (one resistant to three susceptible) suggests that the resistance of ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ is controlled by a single recessive gene. All 537 F2 plants of ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’בVixen’ tested with isolate RG in growth chamber and field conditions were resistant. The F2 plants of this cross were all resistant to isolate 2t in growth chamber conditions but segregated with a ratio of one resistant to three susceptible in field conditions owing to the susceptibility of ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ to this isolate. Results suggest that the resistance gene in ‘Chikurin Ibaraki 1’ is tightly linked or allelic with the Yd2 gene in ‘Vixen’. However, it differs from this gene in ‘Vixen’ in that it can be overcome by isolate 2t in field conditions.     

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.     

Sources of resistance to mildew and stripe rust in breeding spring barley

From 1960 onwards the Cereal Section of the Foundation for Agricultural Plant Breeding has paid much attention to seeking sources of resistance against yellow rust and mildew in barley.So far no variety has been found with a complete resistance to yellow rust. A number of varieties with at most a very slight degree of attack are mentioned in the tables.Mildew resistance in barley is discussed on the basis of German and Swedish data on the physiological specialization on barley.     

Evaluating resistance of barley breeding lines to scald in field plots

Summary A 0–4 scoring system to quantify scald (Rhynchosporium secalis) infection is suggested. Scores 1, 2, 3 and 4 allocated to represent 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 4/4 of the crop canopy scalded are easy to comprehend and intermediate scores e.g. 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 give it the breadth of a quantitative scale. Scores on a large number of lines showed a high degree of repeatability and were found to be highly correlated with the log transformed values of the actual leaf area damage. Although it was suggested that predictions of leaf area damage at scores 3–4 should be applied with caution, broad generalization of the scores in discriminating the amount of disease were shown to be soundly based and offered plant breeders a tool to standardize the evaluation of scald resistance in field plots on a large scale with this quick and reliable scoring system.     

Possibility of exploiting the Yd2 resistance to BYDV in spring barley breeding

The effects of the Yd2 gene on tolerance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and other agronomically important characters in spring barley were evaluated in a set of randomly selected doubled haploid (DH) lines of an‘Igri’/‘Atlas 68’ cross and three crosses between CIMMYT Yd2 materials and the Czech malting barley ‘Akcent’. The cleaved amplified polymorphic site (CAPS) diagnostic marker Yd2 was used for identification of the Yd2 gene and this analysis showed high agreement with the results of field infection tests. Yd2 lines exhibited significantly lower symptom scores and lower reductions of some grain yield characters, but their resistance level was not consistent over the years. The presence of secondary stresses (high temperature/drought) in 2000 led to relatively higher sensitivity to BYDV infection, strengthened by the long life cycle of genotypes. In cases where secondary stresses were mild (in 2002), the longer life cycle significantly increased sensitivity to BYDV infection only in the absence of the Yd2 gene (in susceptible genotypes). The examination of different vegetative, grain yield and malting quality characters separately for groups of Yd2 and non‐ Yd2 lines did not show any evidence of adverse effect of the Yd2 gene on any character.     

Molecular breeding for the BaMMV/BaYMV resistance gene ym4 in winter barley

The aim of this investigation was to develop a procedure for the largescale molecular breeding for ym4, allowing resistance to BaMMV/BaYMV to be fixed in early breeding generations of winter barley. A codominant STS marker derived from the restriction fragment length polymorphism marker MWG838 for the ym4 resistance gene was combined with a new and easy procedure for preparing leaf samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), theoretically allowing one person to extract DNA from 5000 samples in a single day. In the procedure for molecular breeding for ym4, all steps, including leaf sampling, DNA extraction, PCR amplification and digestion with restriction enzyme were assembled in microtitre plates allowing multipipetting throughout the procedure, including the loading of gels. The method is amenable to further automation with the aid of a robot arm. Double haploid (DH) lines, as well as F₂ and F₄ breeding lines were analysed and, based on markers, homozygous and heterozygous BaMMV/BaYMV resistant plants were identified for further breeding. The winter barley breeding programmes were modified to include marker-based selection for BaMMV/BaYMV resistance on DH or on F₂ individuals, which had been preselected for mildew and leaf rust resistance.     

Role of male-sterile cytoplasm in resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus and Fusarium head blight in barley

Two types of male‐sterile cytoplasm, designated msm1 and msm2, in barley were investigated to determine whether these cytoplasms confer resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus (Ba YMV) and Fusarium head blight (FHB). Alloplasmic lines and isogenic lines of two cultivars showed the same reaction to each Ba YMV as that of their euplasmic lines. This demonstrates that the barley male‐sterile cytoplasms msm1 and msm2 have no effect on resistance to BaYMV. No significant difference in reactions to FHB was recognized among fertile alloplasmic lines of ‘Adorra’, but the difference in reactions to FHB between fertile and sterile isogenic lines of ‘Adorra’ was significant. The damage caused by FHB in the male‐sterile lines that produced sterile pollen was significantly greater than the damage in a sterile line that did not produce pollen. These results suggest that pollen or anthers are important factors in infection with or spread of FHB. For production of hybrid seeds, male‐sterile lines with no pollen production, such as those with msm1 male‐sterile cytoplasm, would reduce FHB infestation.     

Characterization of wheat-Thinopyrum partial amphiploids for resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus

Resistance to viruses such as wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and barley yellow dwarf virus(BYDV) is lacking in the primary gene pool of wheat, and therefore resistance is being introgressed from wild relatives such as Thinopyrum species. Resistance to BYDV was found in partial amphiploids (2n = 8x = 56, consisting of 42 wheat and14 alien chromosomes) obtained in hybrids between wheat and both Th. intermedium and Th.ponticum. GISH analysis revealed that the alien genomes of all but one resistant partial amphiploid were heterogeneous consisting of different ratios of St, J^s and J genome chromosomes obtained from theThinopyrum parent. Translocated chromosomes consisting of Robertsonian, interstitial and terminal translocations between the different genomes were also detected. The tissue blot immunoassay showed that partial amphiploids having resistance could be inoculated with the virus but both virus multiplication and spread were completely blocked. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Marker-assisted backcross introgression of the Yd2 gene conferring resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus in barley

YLM, a codaominant polymerase chain reaction (PCR) marker linked to Yd2, could substantially improve the precision and efficiency of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance breeding. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of YLM in a marker‐assisted introgression programme and to quantify associations between the presence of Yd2 and other agronomic and quality traits. The Yd2 gene was introgressed into a BYDV‐susceptible background through two cycles of marker‐assisted backcrossing. BC₂ F₂‐derived lines, either carrying or not carrying the YLM allele associated with resistance, were compared in the presence and absence of BYDV. The YLM marker was shown to be effective in the introgression of Yd2. Lines carrying the YLM allele associated with resistance produced significantly fewer leaf symptoms and showed a reduction in yield loss when infected with BYDV. There were no deleterious effects associated with the introgression of Yd2 on grain yield, grain size or malting quality. The implications of marker‐assisted selection for Yd2 on barley improvement are discussed.     

The concept of varietal ability in plant breeding

Summary At the population level, the general varietal ability of a genotype is defined as the expectation of all possible varieties of a given type with this genotype. Specific varietal abilities of order 1, 2, 3..., are defined as interactions from the combined effect of 2, 3, 4... parents in varietal combinations. Genetic effects for varietal value and for the criterion of test are introduced. They allow an expression of the covariance between the value of a genotype according to the testing system and the value of its progeny from random mating in varietal combination. So a general expression of the genetic advance in the varietal value of a population improved by recurrent selection can be given whatever the type of variety and the testing system. The genetic advance is also considered at the level of the varieties. Some examples of prediction formulae for varietal abilities are given for hybrids, synthetics and lines. The problem of prediction of the ability of a genotype to give lines with the best general varietal abilities is also considered.Communication given at the 3rd meeting of the Eucarpia section Biometrics in Plant Breeding, Cambridge, April 4–7, 1978, and in a revised version on the occasion of the Professor Schnell's 65th birthday, Stuttgart, University of Hohenheim, May 19, 1978.     

Genetic variation for tolerance or resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus in durum wheat

Summary One durum wheat line (Triticum durum), cv. 82PCD476, with useful BYDV tolerance or resistance, was singled out of 5 152 lines evaluated between 1979 and 1986. A few other lines such as cv. Boohai and cv. 12th IDSN 227, slightly inferior to cv. 82PCD476, also showed some value. With an hybrid of cv. 12th IDSN227 with the susceptible cv. 84PCY-S531, broad-sense heritability values of 0.37–0.41 were obtained for symptoms and a heritability value of 0.55 was obtained for the total weight of spikes. The weight of spikes was considered as a good indicator of wheat tolerance to BYDV. Although BYDV resistance or tolerance genes are not very common in durum wheat, sources of heritable resistance could be found. However, the resistance ofT. aestivum to BYDV was superior to the one found inT. durum.Cintribution no. 323     

The Yd2 gene and enhanced resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in winter barley

A breeding programme was developed to obtain barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV)-resistant winter genotypes using the Yd2 gene. The aim was to incorporate the Yd2 allele into the new high-yielding genotypes to release cultivars that allow barley cultivation in areas where BYDV is endemic. The resistant lines were developed using pedigree selection. An ICARDA resistant line (83RCBB130) carrying the Yd2 gene was crossed with three susceptible, high-yielding winter varieties and their F₁ lines were either selfed or backcrossed to the matching susceptible parent. The best lines selected from subsequent selfing generations were evaluated in replicated trials in the presence or absence of BYDV, starting from F₆ and BC₁F₅ to F₈ and BC₁F₇ generations. Four genotypes with superior agronomic traits and BYDV resistance were selected.     

Winter barley breeding in the Netherlands

Summary Various Dutch breeders have devoted themselves to winter barley breeding; the local variety Groningen Winter Barley used always to be the foundation material for breeding work. In the course of years 8 new varieties have been derived from it by line selection which demonstrates clearly the degree of variation.The varietal range (fig. 1) shows the peculiarity that the leading variety Vindicat has almost completely been superseded by Urania within some years. If ever, the slogan the Dutch farmer readily accepts new varieties applies here.Its sister variety Vinesco makes a favourable impression.The varieties of winter barley are now for 97 percent based on homebred material.     

Postulation of leaf-rust resistance genes in Czech and Slovak barley cultivars and breeding lines

Leaf‐rust resistance (Rph) genes in 61 Czech and Slovak barley cultivars and 32 breeding lines from registration trials of the Czech Republic were postulated based on their reaction to 12 isolates of Puccinia hordei with different combinations of virulence genes. Five known Rph genes (Rph2, Rph3, Rph4, Rph7, and Rph12) and one unknown Rph gene were postulated to be present in this germplasm. To corroborate this result, the pedigree of the barley accessions was analysed. Gene Rph2, as well as Rph4, originated from old European cultivars. The donor of Rph3, which has been mainly used by Czech and Slovak breeders, is ‘Ribari’ (‘Baladi 16’). Rph12 originates from barley cultivars developed in the former East Germany. Rph7 in the registered cultivar ‘Heris’ originates from ‘Forrajera’. A combination of two genes was found in 10 cultivars. Nine heterogeneous cultivars were identified; they were composed of one component with an identified Rph gene and a second component without any resistance gene. No gene for leaf rust resistance was found in 17 of the accessions tested. This study demonstrates the utility of using selected pathotypes of P. hordei for postulating Rph genes in barley.     

Elucidation of virus-host interactions to enhance resistance breeding for control of virus diseases in potato

Potato virus Y (PVY) and Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) are viruses whose geographical distribution is expanding and economic losses are increasing, in contrast to most of other viruses infecting potato crops. Most potato cultivars lack broad-spectrum resistance to the new, genetically complex strains of PVY, and no efficient resistance to PMTV is known in potato. Control of the vectors of these viruses is not an efficient or possible strategy to prevent infections. Studies on molecular virus-host interactions can discover plant genes that are important to viral infection or antiviral defence. Both types of genes may be utilized in resistance breeding, which is discussed in this paper. The advanced gene technologies provide means to fortify potato cultivars with effective virus resistance genes or mutated, non-functional host factors that interfere with virus infection.     

An alternative approach to breeding for high diastatic power in barley

Summary Several lines from the cross Akka x Feebar were observed to have -amylase activity considerably in excess of either parent. It is suggested that, from crosses between two-rowed and six-rowed varieties, two-rowed genotypes with enhanced levels of grain nitrogen and -amylase activity may be obtained. These can be successfully exploited in a breeding programme to produce barley varities with high diastic power.     

Variation in Ethiopian barley landrace populations for resistance to barley leaf scald and netblotch

One-hundred and eighty landrace populations and six-hundred single-head plants selected from 60 promising populations were evaluated for resistance to scald and netblotch at three locations in Ethiopia. Each accession was tested with and without the application of 50% of the recommended rate of fertilizer at planting. Plants were rated for disease attack two to four times during the season. Both diseases were enhanced by the application of fertilizer and were more severe at the testing sites of Holetta and Bekoji than at Sheno. The difference in disease resistance among and within populations was considerable. Moreover, populations from Arsi and Bale tend to be more susceptible to scald but more resistant to netblotch than populations from other regions. Populations collected from higher altitudes were more resistant to scald, but susceptible to netblotch, than were populations from lower altitudes. The paper illustrates approaches to the identification of valuable genotypes from landrace populations that can be incorporated into a breeding programme for the development of improved varieties with resistance to the principal diseases of barley in Ethiopia.     

甘蓝抗芜菁花叶病毒育种研究进展

摘要：本文简述了甘蓝TuMV抗性种质资源的现状和各种分子生物技术应用发展的前景,从TuMV的发生、甘蓝抗TuMV种质资源的挖掘,甘蓝对TuMV的抗性规律,植-病互作分子机制,甘蓝抗TuMV分子标记的开发与应用和基因工程技术在甘蓝抗TuMV育种中的应用等方面综述了近年来的研究进展,为今后甘蓝抗性育种提供参考和借鉴。