Molecular mapping of the crown rust resistance gene rpc1 in barley

ABSTRACT Crown rust of barley, caused by Puccinia coronata var. hordei, occurs sporadically and sometimes may cause yield and quality reductions in the Great Plains region of the United States and Canada. The incompletely dominant resistance allele Rpc1 confers resistance to P. coronata in barley. Two generations, F(2) and F(2:3), developed from a cross between the resistant line Hor2596 (CIho 1243) and the susceptible line Bowman (PI 483237), were used in this study. Bulked segregant analysis combined with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers were used to identify molecular markers linked to Rpc1. DNA genotypes produced by 500 RAPD primers, 200 microsatellites (SSRs), and 71 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) probes were applied to map Rpc1. Of these, 15 RAPD primers identified polymorphisms between resistant and susceptible bulks, and 62 SSR markers and 32 RFLP markers identified polymorphisms between the resistant and susceptible parents. The polymorphic markers were applied to 97 F(2) individuals and F(2:3) families. These markers identified 112 polymorphisms and were used for primary linkage mapping to Rpc1 using Map Manager QT. Two RFLP and five SSR markers spanning the centromere on chromosome 3H and one RAPD marker (OPO08-700) were linked with Rpc1 and, thus, used to construct a 30-centimorgan (cM) linkage map containing the Rpc1 locus. The genetic distance between Rpc1 and the closest marker, RAPD OPO08-700, was 2.5 cM. The linked markers will be useful for incorporating this crown rust resistance gene into barley breeding lines.     

Chromosomal location and genetic relationship of leaf rust resistance genes rph9 and rph12 in barley

ABSTRACT Barley lines Hor 2596 and Triumph are the sources of leaf rust resistance genes Rph9 and Rph12, respectively. An allelism test was performed with F(2) progeny of the cross Triumph/Hor 2596 inoculated with Puccinia hordei. No recombinants were found in a population of 3,858 progeny, indicating Rph9 and Rph12 are alleles. Molecular and morphological markers were used to identify the chromosomal location of these genes in the crosses Bowman/Hor 2596 and Triumph/I91-533-va. A linkage was detected between Rph9 and the flanking sequence-tagged site (STS) markers ABC155 and ABG3 on chromosome 7(5H) at a distance of 20.6 and 20.1 centimorgans (cM), respectively, and to the microsatellite marker dehydrin-9 (HVDHN9) at a distance of 10.2 cM in the Bowman/ Hor 2596 cross. Analysis of isozymes in bulks of the same population showed that Rph9 may be closely linked to the Est9 locus on chromosome 7(5H). The Rph12 locus was linked to the morphological trait locus va (controlling variegated leaf color) on chromosome 7(5H) at a distance of 22.6 cM in the Triumph/I91-533-va cross. Rph12 also was linked with STS marker ABC155 (24.4 cM) and RAPD marker OPA19 (1.5) (17.8 cM). These data indicate that Hor 2596 and Triumph carry a leaf rust resistance gene at the same locus on the long arm of chromosome 7(5H) of barley.     

Genes Governing Resistance to Puccinia hordei in Thirteen Spring Barley Accessions

ABSTRACT Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia hordei, is an important disease of barley in many parts of the world. In the eastern United States, this disease was effectively controlled for over 20 years through the deployment of cultivars carrying the resistance gene Rph7. Isolates of P. hordei with virulence for Rph7 appeared in this region in the early 1990s rendering barley cultivars with this gene vulnerable to leaf rust infection. From a preliminary evaluation test, 13 accessions from diverse geographic locations possessed resistance to P. hordei isolate VA90-34, which has virulence for genes Rph1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11. Each of these 13 accessions was crossed with susceptible cvs. Moore or Larker to characterize gene number and gene action for resistance to P. hordei. Additionally, the 13 accessions were intercrossed and crossed to host differential lines possessing genes Rph3, Rph5, and Rph9 to determine allelic relationships of resistance genes. Seedlings of F(1), F(2), and BC(1)F(1) populations were evaluated in the greenhouse for their reaction to P. hordei isolate VA90-34. Leaf rust resistance in six of the accessions including Collo sib, CR270.3.2, Deir Alla 105, Giza 119, Gloria, and Lenka is governed by a single dominant gene located at or near the Rph3 locus. All accessions for which the gene Rph3 was postulated to govern leaf rust resistance, except for Deir Alla 105, likely possess an allele different than Rph3.c found in Estate based on the differential reaction to isolates of P. hordei. The resistance gene in Grit and Donan is located at or near the Rph9 locus. Alleles at both the Rph3 and Rph9 loci confer resistance in Femina and Dorina. In addition to Rph3, Caroline and CR366.13.2 likely possess a second unknown recessive gene for leaf rust resistance. Resistance in Carre 180 is governed by a recessive gene that is different from all other genes considered in this study. Identification of both known and unique genes conferring leaf rust resistance in the barley germplasm included in this study provides breeding programs with the knowledge and opportunity to assess currently used sources of leaf rust resistance and to incorporate new sources of resistance into their programs.     

Genetic analysis and molecular mapping of wheat genes conferring resistance to the wheat stripe rust and barley stripe rust pathogens

ABSTRACT Stripe rust is one of the most important diseases of wheat and barley worldwide. On wheat it is caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici and on barley by P. striiformis f. sp. hordei Most wheat genotypes are resistant to P. striiformis f. sp. hordei and most barley genotypes are resistant to P. striiformis f. sp. tritici. To determine the genetics of resistance in wheat to P. striiformis f. sp. hordei, crosses were made between wheat genotypes Lemhi (resistant to P. striiformis f. sp. hordei) and PI 478214 (susceptible to P. striiformis f. sp. hordei). The greenhouse seedling test of 150 F(2) progeny from the Lemhi x PI 478214 cross, inoculated with race PSH-14 of P. striiformis f. sp. hordei, indicated that Lemhi has a dominant resistance gene. The single dominant gene was confirmed by testing seedlings of the F(1), BC(1) to the two parents, and 150 F(3) lines from the F(2) plants with the same race. The tests of the F(1), BC(1), and F(3) progeny with race PSH-48 of P. striiformis f. sp. hordei and PST-21 of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici also showed a dominant gene for resistance to these races. Cosegregation analyses of the F(3) data from the tests with the two races of P. striiformis f. sp. hordei and one race of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici suggested that the same gene conferred the resistance to both races of P. striiformis f. sp. hordei, and this gene was different but closely linked to Yr21, a previously reported gene in Lemhi conferring resistance to race PST-21 of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici. A linkage group consisting of 11 resistance gene analog polymorphism (RGAP) markers was established for the genes. The gene was confirmed to be on chromosome 1B by amplification of a set of nullitetrasomic Chinese Spring lines with an RGAP marker linked in repulsion with the resistance allele. The genetic information obtained from this study is useful in understanding interactions between inappropriate hosts and pathogens. The gene identified in Lemhi for resistance to P. striiformis f. sp. hordei should provide resistance to barley stripe rust when introgressed into barley cultivars.     

Performance and Mapping of Leaf Rust Resistance Transferred to Wheat from Triticum timopheevii subsp. armeniacum

ABSTRACT Host plant resistance is an economical and environmentally sound method of control of leaf rust caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina, which is one of the most serious diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum) worldwide. Wild relatives of wheat, including the tetraploid T. timopheevii subsp. armeniacum, represent an important source of genes for resistance to leaf rust. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the performance of leaf rust resistance genes previously transferred to wheat from three accessions of T. timopheevii subsp. armeniacum, (ii) determine inheritance and allelic relationship of the new leaf rust resistance genes, and (iii) determine the genetic map location of one of the T. timopheevii subsp. armeniacum-derived genes using microsatellite markers. The leaf rust resistance gene transferred to hexaploid wheat from accession TA 28 of T. timopheevii subsp. armeniacum exhibited slightly different infection types (ITs) to diverse races of leaf rust in inoculated tests of seedlings compared with the gene transferred from TA 870 and TA 874. High ITs were exhibited when seedlings of all the germ plasm lines were inoculated with P. triticina races MBRL and PNMQ. However, low ITs were observed on adult plants of all lines having the T. timopheevii subsp. armeniacum-derived genes for resistance in the field at locations in Kansas and Texas. Analysis of crosses between resistant germ plasm lines showed that accessions TA 870 and TA 874 donated the same gene for resistance to leaf rust and TA 28 donated an independent resistance gene. The gene donated to germ plasm line KS96WGRC36 from TA 870 of T. timopheevii subsp. armeniacum was linked to microsatellite markers Xgwm382 (6.7 cM) and Xgdm87 (9.4 cM) on wheat chromosome arm 2B long. This new leaf rust resistance gene is designated Lr50. It is the first named gene for leaf rust resistance transferred from wild timopheevi wheat and is the only Lr gene located on the long arm of wheat homoeologous group 2 chromosomes.     

Allele sequencing of the barley stem rust resistance gene Rpg1 identifies regions relevant to disease resistance

The stem rust resistance gene Rpg1 has protected North American barley cultivars from significant yield losses for over 65 years. The remarkable durability of this gene warrants further study as to its possible origin and allelic variation. Eight Swiss barley (Hordeum vulgare) landraces and eight wild barley (H. vulgare subsp. spontaneum) accessions from diverse geographic regions were analyzed to uncover new alleles of Rpg1 and learn about its possible origin. The two germplasm groups included accessions that were resistant and susceptible to Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici pathotype MCCF. Allele-specific primers were utilized to amplify 1 kbp overlapping fragments spanning the Rpg1 gene and sequenced if a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragment was generated. Variation among the PCR products revealed significant polymorphisms among these Hordeum accessions. Landraces and wild barley accessions susceptible to pathotype MCCF exhibited the highest degree of Rpg1 polymorphism. One resistant landrace (Hv672) and one resistant wild barley accession (WBDC040) yielded all seven Rpg1-specific PCR fragments, but only landrace Hv672 coded for an apparently functional Rpg1 as determined by comparison to previously characterized resistant and susceptible alleles and also resistance to HKHJ, a stem rust pathotype that can specifically detect Rpg1 in the presence of other resistance genes. Accessions resistant to stem rust pathotype MCCF, but completely lacking Rpg1-specific PCR amplification and hybridization with an Rpg1-specific probe, suggested the presence of stem rust resistant gene(s) different from Rpg1 in the Hordeum germplasm pool. Some Rpg1 alleles that retained the ability to autophosphorylate did not confer resistance to Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici pathotype MCCF, confirming our previous observations that autophosphorylation is essential, but not sufficient for disease resistance. Thus, the RPG1 protein plays a complex role in the stem rust disease resistance-signaling pathway.     

Molecular mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene rph6 in barley and its linkage relationships with rph5 and rph7

ABSTRACT The barley cv. Bolivia carries two leaf rust (Puccinia hordei) resistance genes, Rph2 and Rph6, and is the only known source of the latter gene. A resistant line (Bolivia-Rph6) carrying Rph6 only was obtained in the F(4) generation of a cross between cv. Bolivia and the susceptible cv. Bowman via progeny testing with differential isolates of the leaf rust pathogen. Genetic analyses and bulk segregant analysis using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers localized Rph6 on the short arm of barley chromosome 3H at a distance of 4.4 centimorgans (cM) distal from RFLP marker MWG2021 and 1.2 cM proximal from RFLP marker BCD907. The allelic relationship of Rph6 to other leaf rust resistance genes mapping to this region of chromosome 3H (namely Rph5 and Rph7) were tested using crosses among cvs. Magnif 102 (carrying Rph5), Bolivia-Rph6 (Rph6), and Cebada Capa (Rph7). Segregation analyses indicated that Rph6 is allelic to Rph5 and closely linked to Rph7. The data generated from this study will facilitate breeding for leaf rust resistance via marker-assisted selection and provide a starting point for positional gene cloning.     

Inheritance and molecular mapping of barley genes conferring resistance to wheat stripe rust

ABSTRACT Most barley cultivars are resistant to stripe rust of wheat that is caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. The barley cv. Steptoe is susceptible to all identified races of P. striiformis f. sp. hordei (PSH), the barley stripe rust pathogen, but is resistant to most P. striiformis f. sp. tritici races. To determine inheritance of the Steptoe resistance to P. striiformis f. sp. tritici, a cross was made between Steptoe and Russell, a barley cultivar susceptible to some P. striiformis f. sp. tritici races and all tested P. striiformis f. sp. hordei races. Seedlings of parents and F(1), BC(1), F(2), and F(3) progeny from the barley cross were tested with P. striiformis f. sp. tritici races PST-41 and PST-45 under controlled greenhouse conditions. Genetic analyses of infection type data showed that Steptoe had one dominant gene and one recessive gene (provisionally designated as RpstS1 and rpstS2, respectively) for resistance to races PST-41 and PST-45. Genomic DNA was extracted from the parents and 150 F(2) plants that were tested for rust reaction and grown for seed of F(3) lines. The infection type data and polymorphic markers identified using the resistance gene analog polymorphism (RGAP) technique were analyzed with the Mapmaker computer program to map the resistance genes. The dominant resistance gene in Steptoe for resistance to P. striiformis f. sp. tritici races was mapped on barley chromosome 4H using a linked microsatellite marker, HVM68. A linkage group for the dominant gene was constructed with 12 RGAP markers and the microsatellite marker. The results show that resistance in barley to the wheat stripe rust pathogen is qualitatively inherited. These genes might provide useful resistance against wheat stripe rust when introgressed into wheat from barley.     

Molecular Mapping of the rps1.a Recessive Gene for Resistance to Stripe Rust in BBA 2890 Barley

ABSTRACT Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei, is one of the most important diseases of barley in the south-central and western United States. Growing resistant cultivars is the best approach for controlling the disease. The barley genotype BBA 2890 has all-stage resistance against all races of P. striiformis f. sp. hordei (PSH) identified thus far in the United States. The resistance in BBA 2890 is controlled by a single recessive gene, rps1.a. The objectives of this study were to identify resistance gene analog polymorphism (RGAP) markers for the all-stage resistance gene rps1.a, to map the gene on a barley chromosome using chromosome-specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and to determine the presence or absence of the flanking RGAP markers for the gene in 24 barley genotypes. Seedlings of the parents and 200 F(8) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were tested for resistance to pathogen races PSH-14, PSH-48, and PSH-54 in the greenhouse in 2005. Genomic DNA was extracted from the parents and 150 F(8) RILs. The RGAP technique was used to identify molecular markers for the rps1.a gene. Twelve primer pairs generating repeatable polymorphic bands were selected for genotyping the 150 F(8) RILs. A genetic linkage group was constructed for the resistance gene with 13 RGAP markers and four chromosome-specific SSR markers. The four SSR markers mapped the gene on the long arm of barley chromosome 3H. The closest RGAP marker for the resistant allele was within a genetic distance of 2.1 centimorgans (cM). The closest marker for the susceptible allele was 6.8 cM away from the locus. The two closest RGAP markers for the resistant allele detected polymorphisms in 67 and 71% of the 24 barley genotypes when used individually, and detected polymorphism in 88% of the genotypes when used in combination. This information should be useful in incorporating the resistance gene into barley cultivars and in pyramiding the gene with other resistance genes for superior stripe rust resistance.     

广东省甘薯疮痂病病原菌鉴定及国内主要菜用甘薯种质抗性评价

为明确广东省甘薯疮痂病病原菌种类及当前国内主要菜用甘薯种质对疮痂病的抗性,结合形态学特征和rDNA-ITS序列分析对病原菌进行鉴定,并通过病圃诱发结合人工喷雾接种法对来自9个省区30个菜用甘薯种质进行连续2年的抗性鉴定。结果显示,共获得15株形态学特征及培养性状相似的菌株,其中代表菌株CRI-CJ的形态学特征与甘薯痂圆孢菌Elsinoe batatas基本一致,且在基于rDNA-ITS序列的系统发育树中与甘薯痂圆孢菌聚在一支,表明甘薯疮痂病病原菌为甘薯痂圆孢菌。30个菜用甘薯品种(系)中,抗性、中抗、中感和感病品种(系)分别为7、7、5和11个,占总数的23.3%、23.3%、16.7%和36.7%。其中抗性品种(系)有广菜薯11-52、广菜薯15-6、广菜薯16-1、广菜薯16-19、广菜薯17-23、广菜薯17-9和广菜薯18-6,中抗品种(系)有EC01、广薯菜2号、广菜薯3号、广菜薯6号、广菜薯7号、广菜薯17-25和广菜薯18-3。不同地理来源的品种(系)对甘薯疮痂病的抗性水平存在差异,11个非广东省品种(系)中感病、中感和中抗品种(系)分别为8、2和1个,占比分别为72.7...     

Specificity of Prehaustorial Resistance to Puccinia hordei and to Two Inappropriate Rust Fungi in Barley

ABSTRACT To elucidate the specificity of prehaustorial resistance to inappropriate rust fungi, we studied two populations of recombinant inbred lines of barley that segregated for partial resistance (PR) to Puccinia hordei and for the resistance to the inappropriate rust species P. recondita f. sp. tritici and P. hordei-murini. PR to P. hordei is prehaustorial and nonhypersensitive, and its level can be assessed accurately by measuring the latent period of the fungus. The resistance to the inappropriate rust species is a combination of prehaustorial (nonhypersensitive) and posthaustorial (hypersensitive) mechanisms. The amount of nonhypersensitive, early abortion of P. recondita f. sp. tritici and P. hordei-murini sporelings reflects the degree of prehaustorial defense to the two inappropriate rust species. All lines showing a long latent period of P. hordei also had a relatively high level of early abortion of the growth of P. recondita f. sp. tritici and P. hordei-murini. This indicates that genes for PR to P. hordei are also effective against these two inappropriate rust species. The reverse was not necessarily true; some lines showing a high level of early abortion of P. recondita f. sp. tritici and P. hordei-murini had a low level of PR to P. hordei. Moreover, lines with a similar level of prehaustorial resistance to P. recondita f. sp. tritici could differ considerably in their prehaustorial resistance to P. hordei-murini. This indicates that genes for prehaustorial resistance may exhibit rust species specificity.     

Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection of Ustilago hordei in Leaves of Susceptible and Resistant Barley Varieties

ABSTRACT Although Ustilago hordei infects barley seedlings, symptoms of the disease covered smut are not visible until heading. Natural or artificial inoculation usually results in inconsistent infection, even in highly susceptible lines. Thus, breeding for resistance to covered smut is time consuming and difficult. The ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of U. hordei were sequenced and a primer pair was developed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These primers amplified a 574-bp fragment from DNA of Ustilago spp., but did not amplify DNA from barley or other common barley pathogens. DNA extracted from as few as four U. hordei sporidia was detected by this method. U. hordei DNA was amplified from leaf tissue of inoculated susceptible and resistant plants at different stages of plant development in differential varieties. Growth of the fungus in different leaves of an individual plant was variable. Several highly resistant varieties were shown to contain U. hordei DNA in the first three to four leaves, but not in later leaves. Thus, although the fungus can infect many resistant plants, the plants remain symptomless. Detection of U. hordei prior to heading should assist efforts for breeding for resistance and provide clues concerning the mechanisms of resistance employed by different resistance genes.     

Mapping and Comparative Analysis of QTL for Crown Rust Resistance in an Italian x Perennial Ryegrass Population

ABSTRACT Crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. lolli) is a serious fungal foliar disease of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum Lam.), which are important forage and turf species. A number of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for crown rust resistance previously were identified in perennial ryegrass under growth chamber or greenhouse conditions. In this study, we conducted a QTL mapping for crown rust resistance in a three-generation Italian x perennial ryegrass interspecific population under natural field conditions at two locations over 2 years. Through a comparative mapping analysis, we also investigated the syntenic relationships of previously known crown rust resistance genes in other ryegrass germplasms and oat, and genetic linkage between crown rust resistance QTL and three lignin genes: LpOMT1, LpCAD2, and LpCCR1. The interspecific mapping population of 156 progeny was developed from a cross between two Italian x perennial ryegrass hybrids, MFA and MFB. Because highly susceptible reactions to crown rust were observed from all perennial ryegrass clones, including two grandparental clones and eight clones from different pedigrees tested in this study, two grandparent clones from Italian ryegrass cv. Floregon appeared to be a source of the resistance. Two QTL on linkage groups (LGs) 2 and 7 in the resistant parent MFA map were detected consistently regardless of year and location. The others, specific to year and location, were located on LGs 3 and 6 in the susceptible parent MFB map. The QTL on LG2 was likely to correspond to those previously reported in three unrelated perennial ryegrass mapping populations; however, the other QTL on LGs 3, 6, and 7 were not. The QTL on LG7 was closely located in the syntenic genomic region where genes Pca cluster, Pcq2, Pc38, and Prq1b resistant to crown rust (P. coronata f. sp. avenae) in oat (Avena sativa L.) were previously identified. Similarly, the QTL on LG3 was found in a syntenic region with oat genes resistant to crown rust isolates PC54 and PC59. This indicates that the ortholoci for resistance genes to different formae speciales of crown rust might be present between two distantly related grass species, ryegrass and oat. In addition, we mapped four restriction fragment length polymorphism loci for three key ryegrass lignin genes encoding caffeic acid-O-methyltransferase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, and cinnamoyl CoA-reductase on LG7. These loci were within a range of 8 to 17 centimorgans from the QTL on LG7, suggesting no tight linkage between them. The putative ortholoci for those lignin biosynthesis genes were identified on segments of rice (Oryza sativa L.) chromosomes 6 and 8, which are the counterparts of ryegrass LG7. Results from the current study facilitate understanding of crown rust resistance and its relationship with lignin biosynthesis, and also will benefit ryegrass breeders for improving crown rust resistance through marker-assisted selection.     

远中5号中来自天兰偃麦草的一个染色体组对三种锈病的抗性作用

 八倍体小偃麦具有偃麦草的抗锈、大穗、多花等优良性状,是小麦育种中的重要种质资源。本研究通过体细胞染色体组型的观察和比较推断八倍体的小偃麦品种远中5号比其变异系多一组来自天兰(中间)偃麦草(Agropyron glaucum)的特有的染色体组EE或FF。远中5号与其变异系之间对三种锈病的抗性差异表明:远中5号对条锈菌七个生理小种(条中22、23、25、26、27、28、29)和对秆锈菌六个生理小种(21C3、34、34C1、34C2、34C4、119)的抗病基因由来自天兰偃麦草的EE或FF染色体组所携带,而在AABBDD染色体组上存在着对叶锈菌四个生理小种(叶中3、4、20、38)的抗病基因。在EE或FF染色体组上也可能含有抗叶锈病的基因,至少由于EE或FF染色体组的存在大大地提高了远中5号对叶锈病的抗病性。     

Differential effects of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, and energetic metabolism inhibition on resistance of appropriate host and nonhost cereal-rust interactions

ABSTRACT Effects of phenylpropanoid and energetic metabolism inhibition on resistance were studied during appropriate host and nonhost cereal-rust interactions. In the appropriate barley-Puccinia hordei interaction, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) inhibition reduced penetration resistance in two genotypes, suggesting a role for phenolics and lignins in resistance. Interestingly, penetration resistance of the barley genotype 17.5.16 was not affected by phenylpropanoid biosynthesis but penetration resistance was almost completely inhibited by D-mannose, which reduces the energy available in plant host cells. This suggests a parallel in the cellular basis of penetration resistance between 17.5.16 rust and mlo barleys powdery mildew interaction. Results revealed differing patterns of programmed cell death (PCD) in appropriate versus nonhost rust interactions. PAL and CAD inhibitors reduced PCD (hypersensitivity) in appropriate interactions. Conversely, they had no effect in PCD of wheat to P. hordei; whereas D-mannose dramatically reduced nonhost resistance and allowed colony establishment. The differential effects of inhibitors in the expression of the different resistances and the commonalities with the cereal-powdery mildew interaction is analyzed and discussed.     

Identification of a new pathotype of Puccinia hordei with virulence for the resistance gene Rph7

Barley leaf rust resistance gene Rph7, derived from barley accession Cebada Capa, is the most effective R-gene for resistance to Puccinia hordei. Virulence for this gene was known in the USA, Israel and Morocco but not yet in Europe. We found an unexpected leaf rust infection in the field at Córdoba, Spain in 2004 on Rph7 carrying lines. This virulence for Rph7 was confirmed in growth chamber experiments, being the first report of Rph7 virulence in European populations of P. hordei. A collection of 680 barley accessions was screened for resistance against this new isolate. Twelve accessions showed segregation with individual plants showing resistance based on hypersensitivity (low infection type). These individual resistant plants were selected and grown in the greenhouse to obtain seeds.     

Histology of the infection of tritordeum and its parents by cereal brown rusts

The reactions of tritordeum lines and their Hordeum chilense and Triticum spp. parents to infection by Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici, P. recondita f.sp. agropyri and P. hordei were studied at the seedling stage. The histological observations indicated that tritordeum behaves as the wheat parent, whatever the H. chilense parental line reaction. Tritordeum is to be considered a host of wheat brown rust where genes for hypersensitive resistance may occur; these are apparently contributed by the wheat parent. Both H. chilense and wheat are highly resistant to barley brown rust, and the reaction of tritordeum is that of the wheat parent with respect to the levels of necrosis associated with the early aborted infection units. The tritordeum reaction is also that of the wheat parent to a rust collected on H. jubatum (putatively P. recondita f.sp. agropyri ), with the susceptibility or resistance of H. chilense being overruled by the wheat parent reaction.     

Virulence spectrum of Puccinia hordei in barley production systems in Ethiopia

Barley leaf rust caused by Puccinia hordei is an important disease of barley in Ethiopia. In the 2003 and 2004 cropping seasons, surveys of P. hordei were conducted on fields in the main rainy, residual moisture and short rainy season-barley production systems. A total of 381 isolates were analysed on 12 barley differential hosts carrying different Rph resistance genes ( Rph1 – Rph12 ). Based on infection phenotypes on leaf rust ( Rph ) resistance genes, seven pathotypes were identified, namely ETPh7611, ETPh7631, ETPh6611, ETPh7651, ETPh7671, ETPh7653 and ETPh7633, with frequencies of 63·0, 21·5, 6·8, 2·9, 2·6, 2·1 and 1·2%, respectively. ETPh7611 and ETPh7631 were the most common pathotypes found in all the surveyed areas of the three production systems. ETPh7653 was found in the small rainy season production system only. ETPh7671, ETPh7653 and ETPh7633 were the most virulent, but the least frequent, pathotypes. All isolates were virulent on resistance genes Rph1 , Rph4 , Rph8 , Rph9 , Rph11 and Rph12 . Virulence against Rph3 and Rph7 was absent. Genes Rph2 , Rph6+2 , Rph5 and Rph10 were effective against 96·3, 88·9, 65 and 2·4% of the rust isolates tested, respectively.     

The influence of the primary germ tube on infection of barley by Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei

In each of three separate genotype combinations of Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei and barley the probability of infection success by an appressorium was reduced by close proximity to a primary germ tube interacting with the same host cell, whether this germ tube was produced by the same or another conidium. Infection success of appressoria was unaffected by events in an adjacent cell, whether associated with other conidia or with the primary germ tube of the same conidium. This interaction between germ tubes and underlying host cells should be considered when mechanisms of resistance to E. graminis f. sp. hordei are investigated.     

Histological responses in Hordeum chilense to brown and yellow rust fungi

The histological reaction of 16 Hordeum chilense accessions to Puccinia recondila, P. hordei and P striiformis was investigated. It is not possible to generalize about the reaction of H. chilense to these rust fungi. Several lines showed a susceptible infection type to a brown rust harvested on H. juhatum. One of these lines had an intermediate infection type to the wheat brown rust fungus. The H. chilense reaction to the yellow rust fungi ranged from susceptible to resistant. The lines differed in their response to the rust fungi, as expressed by the level of early abortion of sporelings, and the frequency of plant-cell necrosis associated with the infection sites. All the lines caused complete early abortion associated with infrequent necrosis of the rye brown rust fungus. The responses were to some extent rust non-specific. The differences in response between the lines may reflect differences in general defence mechanisms.