Quantitative trait loci conferring blast resistance in hexaploid wheat at adult plant stage

Blast disease, caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum pathotype (MoT), is a major concern for wheat production in tropical and subtropical regions. The most destructive symptoms occur in wheat spikes. Infected spikes become bleached due to partial or total sterility, producing small and wrinkled grains. High disease pressure of the disease results in significant yield losses. This study aimed to identify wheat quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring resistance to blast disease at the heading stage. A doubled-haploid population was developed from the cross between BRS 209 (susceptible) and CBFusarium ENT014 (resistant, carrying the 2NS translocation). A linkage map was constructed containing 5,381 molecular markers and the inclusive composite interval mapping method was employed for QTL detection. Four QTLs were mapped in response to two MoT isolates. The major QTL identified on the 2AS chromosome explained an average of 84.0% of the phenotypic variation for spike bleaching at 9 days postinoculation and reinforces the potency of the 2NS translocation. Recombination between the distal region of chromosome 2AS and the 2NS marker was found. These results could explain why some lines carrying the VENTRIUP/LN2 marker have a variable reaction to the disease. QTLs on 5B and 7B chromosomes were also identified. Two mechanisms of resistance were hypothesized: the hypersensitive response and resistance to colonization of host tissues. The KASP markers thus developed and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) allocated in QTL regions can be used in the future for the development of wheat blast-resistant cultivars.     

Quantitative trait Loci mapping for adult-plant resistance to powdery mildew in bread wheat

ABSTRACT Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is a major disease to wheat (Triticum aestivum) worldwide. Use of adult-plant resistance (APR) is an effective method to develop wheat cultivars with durable resistance to powdery mildew. In the present study, 432 molecular markers were used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for APR to powdery mildew in a doubled haploid (DH) population with 107 lines derived from the cross Fukuho-komugi x Oligoculm. Field trials were conducted in Beijing and Anyang, China during 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 cropping seasons, respectively. The DH lines were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Artificial inoculation was carried out in Beijing with highly virulent isolate E20 of B. graminis f. sp. tritici and the powdery mildew severity on penultimate leaf was evaluated four times, and the maximum disease severity (MDS) on penultimate leaf was investigated in Anyang under natural inoculation in May 2004 and 2005. The heritability of resistance to powdery mildew for MDS in 2 years and two locations ranged from 0.82 to 0.93, while the heritability for area under the disease progress curve was between 0.84 and 0.91. With the method of composite interval mapping, four QTL for APR to powdery mildew were detected on chromosomes 1AS, 2BL, 4BL, and 7DS, explaining 5.7 to 26.6% of the phenotypic variance. Three QTL on chromosomes 1AS, 2BL, and 7DS were derived from the female, Fukuho-komugi, while the one on chromosome 4BL was from the male, Oligoculm. The QTL on chromosome 1AS showed high genetic effect on powdery mildew resistance, accounting for 19.5 to 26.6% of phenotypic variance across two environments. The QTL on 7DS associated with the locus Lr34/Yr18, flanked by microsatellite Xgwm295.1 and Ltn (leaf tip necrosis). These results will benefit for improving powdery mildew resistance in wheat breeding programs.     

Mapping quantitative resistance to septoria tritici blotch in spelt wheat

The foliar wheat disease septoria tritici blotch can cause significant yield losses. A source of resistance has been mapped on chromosome 7D of spelt wheat, Triticum aestivum L. subsp. spelta (L.) Thell. The microsatellite-based genetic map was constructed from a set of 87 single-chromosome recombinant doubled-haploid lines bred from the cross between the landrace ‘Chinese Spring’ and a ‘Chinese Spring’-based line carrying chromosome 7D from spelt wheat. Two regions of the chromosome were associated with isolate-specific QTL expressed one at the seedling and another at the adult plant stage. The seedling resistance locus QStb.ipk-7D1 was found in the centromeric region of chromosome 7D, which corresponds to the location of the major resistance genes Stb4 originating from bread wheat cultivar ‘Tadinia’ and Stb5 originating from Triticum tauschii. The adult resistance locus QStb.ipk-7D2 was found on the short arm of chromosome 7D in a similar position to the locus Lr34/Yr18 known to be effective against multiple pathogens. Composite interval mapping confirmed QStb.ipk-7D1 and QStb.ipk-7D2 to be two distinct loci.     

Microsatellite markers for genes lr34/yr18 and other quantitative trait Loci for leaf rust and stripe rust resistance in bread wheat

ABSTRACT Leaf rust and stripe rust, caused by Puccinia triticina and P. striiformis, respectively, are important diseases of wheat in many countries. In this study we sought to identify molecular markers for adult plant resistance genes that could aid in incorporating such durable resistance into wheat. We used a doubled haploid population from a Japanese cv. Fukuho-komugi x Israeli wheat Oligoculm cross that had segregated for resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust in field trials. Joint and/or single-year analyses by composite interval mapping identified two quantitative trait loci (QTL) that reduced leaf rust severity and up to 11 and 7 QTLs that might have influenced stripe rust severity and infection type, respectively. Four common QTLs reduced stripe rust severity and infection type. Except for a QTL on chromosome 7DS, no common QTL for leaf rust and stripe rust was detected. QTL-7DS derived from 'Fukuho-komugi' had the largest effect on both leaf rust and stripe rust severities, possibly due to linked resistance genes Lr34/Yr18. The microsatellite locus Xgwm295.1, located almost at the peak of the likelihood ratio contours for both leaf and stripe rust severity, was closest to Lr34/Yr18. QTLs located on 1BL for leaf rust severity and 3BS for stripe rust infection type were derived from 'Oligoculm' and considered to be due to genes Lr46 and Yr30, respectively. Most of the remaining QTLs for stripe rust severity or infection type had smaller effects. Our results indicate there is significant diversity for genes that have minor effects on stripe rust resistance, and that successful detection of these QTLs by molecular markers should be helpful both for characterizing wheat genotypes effectively and combining such resistance genes.     

Molecular approaches for characterization and use of natural disease resistance in wheat

Wheat production is threatened by a constantly changing population of pathogen species and races. Given the rapid ability of many pathogens to overcome genetic resistance, the identification and practical implementation of new sources of resistance is essential. Landraces and wild relatives of wheat have played an important role as genetic resources for the improvement of disease resistance. The use of molecular approaches, particularly molecular markers, has allowed better characterization of the genetic diversity in wheat germplasm. In addition, the molecular cloning of major resistance (R) genes has recently been achieved in the large, polyploid wheat genome. For the first time this allows the study and analysis of the genetic variability of wheat R loci at the molecular level and therefore, to screen for allelic variation at such loci in the gene pool. Thus, strategies such as allele mining and ecotilling are now possible for characterization of wheat disease resistance. Here, we discuss the approaches, resources and potential tools to characterize and utilize the naturally occurring resistance diversity in wheat. We also report a first step in allele mining, where we characterize the occurrence of known resistance alleles at the wheat Pm3 powdery mildew resistance locus in a set of 1,320 landraces assembled on the basis of eco-geographical criteria. From known Pm3 R alleles, only Pm3b was frequently identified (3% of the tested accessions). In the same set of landraces, we found a high frequency of a Pm3 haplotype carrying a susceptible allele of Pm3. This analysis allowed the identification of a set of resistant lines where new potentially functional alleles would be present. Newly identified resistance alleles will enrich the genetic basis of resistance in breeding programmes and contribute to wheat improvement.     

Histopathology provides a phenotype by which to characterize stripe rust resistance genes in wheat

The expression of the resistance phenotypes of QPst.jic‐2D and QPst.jic‐4B, two quantitative trait loci (QTL) for stripe rust resistance in wheat cv. Alcedo, were assessed relative to plant growth stage, while a histopathology analysis was undertaken to characterize the cellular interaction between Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (the causal agent of stripe rust) and each QTL. QPst.jic‐2D expressed a partial resistant phenotype at seedling growth stages, with the level of resistance increasing as the wheat plant matured, conferring a disease‐free phenotype at heading. QPst.jic‐4B, however, did not express a resistant phenotype until booting (growth stage 41 on the Zadoks scale), displaying its full resistant phenotype at heading. Microscopic examination in flag leaves showed that infection sites formed in all genotypes tested, with full infection‐site establishment being observed by 36 h post‐inoculation (hpi). In lines carrying both QPst.jic‐2D and QPst.jic‐4B, as well as the parental cv. Alcedo, no microcolony formation, defined by the appearance of runner hyphae, was observed. Microcolony formation was observed in lines carrying only one, or neither QTL. Cell death associated with infection sites was observed for all genotypes, although the timing of first appearance and the extent of the cell death response varied considerably. In lines carrying both QPst.jic‐2D and QPst.jic‐4B cell death did not extend beyond one to three cells. In lines carrying only one QTL more extensive cell death was observed and cell death appeared later in lines with QPst.jic‐4B than QPst.jic‐2D. Cell death was also occasionally observed in lines without either QTL, although only at 264 hpi.     

Main effects, epistasis, and environmental interactions of quantitative trait Loci for fusarium head blight resistance in a recombinant inbred population

ABSTRACT Chinese Spring Sumai 3 chromosome 7A disomic substitution line (CS-SM3-7ADS) is highly resistant to Fusarium head blight (FHB), and an F(7) population of recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross CS-SM3-7ADS x Annong 8455 was evaluated for resistance to FHB to investigate main effects, epistasis, and environmental interactions of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for FHB resistance. A molecular linkage map consists of 501 simple sequence repeat and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. A total of 10 QTLs were identified with significant main effects on the FHB resistance using MapQTL and QTLMapper software. Among them, CS-SM3-7ADS carries FHB-resistance alleles at five QTLs on chromosomes 2D, 3B, 4D, and 6A. One QTL on 3BS had the largest effect and explained 30.2% of the phenotypic variance. Susceptible QTLs were detected on chromosomes 1A, 1D, 4A, and 4B. A QTL for enhanced FHB resistance was not detected on chromosome 7A of CS-SM3-7ADS; therefore, the increased FHB resistance in CS-SM3-7ADS was not due to any major FHB-resistance QTL on 7A of Sumai 3, but more likely was due to removal of susceptible alleles of QTLs on 7A of Chinese Spring. QTLMapper detected nine pairs of additive-additive interactions at 17 loci that explained 26% phenotypic variance. QTL-environment interactions explained 49% of phenotypic variation, indicating that the environments significantly affected the expression of the QTLs, especially these epistasis QTLs. Adding FHB-enhancing QTLs or removal of susceptible QTLs both may significantly enhance the degree of wheat resistance to FHB in a wheat cultivar.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for resistance against Verticillium longisporum in oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Verticillium longisporum is one of the major pathogens of oilseed rape (Brassica napus; genome AACC, 2n = 38) in Europe. Current European cultivars possess only a low level of resistance against V. longisporum, meaning that heavy infection can cause major yield losses. The aim of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance against V. longisporum as a starting point for marker-assisted breeding of resistant cultivars. Resistance QTL were localized in a segregating oilseed rape population of 163 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived by microspore culture from the F1 of a cross between two B. napus breeding lines, one of which exhibited V. longisporum resistance derived by pedigree selection from a resynthesized B. napus genotype. A genetic map was constructed comprising 165 restriction fragment length polymorphism, 94 amplified fragment length polymorphism and 45 simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers covering a total of 1,739 cM on 19 linkage groups. Seedlings of the DH lines and parents were inoculated with V. longisporum isolates in four greenhouse experiments performed in Sweden during autumn 1999. In three of the experiments the DH lines were inoculated with a mixture of five isolates, while in the fourth experiment only one of the isolates was used. The intention was to simulate four different environments with variable disease pressure, while still maintaining uniform conditions in each environment to enable reliable disease scoring. The disease index (DI) was calculated by scoring symptoms on a total of 21 inoculated plants per line in comparison to 21 noninoculated plants per line. Using the composite interval mapping procedure a total of four different chromosome regions could be identified that showed significant QTL for resistance in more than one environment. Two major QTL regions were identified on the C-genome linkage groups N14 and N15, respectively; each of these QTL consistently exhibited significant effects on resistance in multiple environments. The presence of flanking markers for the respective QTL was associated with a significant reduction in DI in the inoculated DH lines.     

Global incidence of wheat rusts and powdery mildew during 1969–2010 and durability of resistance of winter wheat variety Bezostaya 1

Disease incidence and severity was studied for winter wheat variety Bezostaya 1 and susceptible checks based on data from international nurseries from 1969 to 2010 and from 51 countries across major winter wheat production regions totalling 1,047 reports. The frequency of leaf rust and stripe rust occurrence was stable over time with marked increases in severity in 2001–2010 especially in Europe and Central and West Asia. Substantial global reductions in stem rust occurrence were recorded and attributed primarily to use of resistance genes although the recent emergence of race Ug99 makes wheat more vulnerable. The occurrence of powdery mildew remained globally stable over time. It was the most important foliar disease in Western and Southern Europe, where the frequency was very high for all time periods coupled with slight increases in severity during 2001–2010. The durable resistance of variety Bezostaya 1 to all four diseases was demonstrated in the study using comparisons of disease severities of Bezostaya 1 and the most susceptible entries. The Lr34/Yr18/Pm38 pleiotrophic set possessed by Bezostaya 1 is currently an important target for selection because it is now amenable to molecular selection. Increased use of genes like Lr34 combined with strategies to minimize cultivation of extremely susceptible varieties will contribute to long term maintenance of low and non-damaging disease levels. The durable disease resistance of Bezostaya 1, combined with its adaptability and good end-use quality, was a significant reason for its huge impact in agriculture over the last 50?years.     

小麦抗条锈病一致性数量性状位点(MQTL)图谱构建

 小麦条锈病是造成小麦减产和品质劣化的最重要病害,定位小麦染色体上一致性条锈病抗性基因/位点/区段是小麦条锈病抗性分子育种的重要基础。本研究对至今分子标记和遗传定位的342个条锈病抗性基因/位点/区段进行数据搜集整理,借助Maccaferr和Andrzej的参考图谱,基于元分析技术进行Meta-QTL(MQTL)检测,共获得194个小麦抗条锈病MQTL,包括74个与严重度(Disease severity, DS)相关,46个与反应型(Infection type, IT)相关、19个与病程曲线下面积相关(Area under disease progress curve, AUDPC)、28个与DS和IT共相关、6个与DS和AUDPC共相关、15个与IT和AUDPC共相关、6个与其他条锈病抗性性状相关。这些抗条锈病一致性QTL定位于小麦21条染色体上,呈非均匀分布,且部分MQTL集中成簇。通过与已发表的正式命名抗条锈病基因比较分析,发现大多数正式命名基因定位于MQTL簇区段,说明这些MQTL簇区段很可能是控制小麦条锈病抗性热点区域。控制小麦抗条锈病一致性QTL遗传图谱的构建为小麦条锈病抗性基因精细定位及抗病育种提供了遗传信息参考依据。     

小麦抗条锈病一致性数量性状位点(MQTL)图谱构建

 小麦条锈病是造成小麦减产和品质劣化的最重要病害,定位小麦染色体上一致性条锈病抗性基因/位点/区段是小麦条锈病抗性分子育种的重要基础。本研究对至今分子标记和遗传定位的342个条锈病抗性基因/位点/区段进行数据搜集整理,借助Maccaferr和Andrzej的参考图谱,基于元分析技术进行Meta-QTL(MQTL)检测,共获得194个小麦抗条锈病MQTL,包括74个与严重度(Disease severity, DS)相关,46个与反应型(Infection type, IT)相关、19个与病程曲线下面积相关(Area under disease progress curve, AUDPC)、28个与DS和IT共相关、6个与DS和AUDPC共相关、15个与IT和AUDPC共相关、6个与其他条锈病抗性性状相关。这些抗条锈病一致性QTL定位于小麦21条染色体上,呈非均匀分布,且部分MQTL集中成簇。通过与已发表的正式命名抗条锈病基因比较分析,发现大多数正式命名基因定位于MQTL簇区段,说明这些MQTL簇区段很可能是控制小麦条锈病抗性热点区域。控制小麦抗条锈病一致性QTL遗传图谱的构建为小麦条锈病抗性基因精细定位及抗病育种提供了遗传信息参考依据。     

Two Loci from Lycopersicon hirsutum LA407 Confer Resistance to Strains of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

ABSTRACT We used molecular markers to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) that contribute to resistance to bacterial canker of tomato caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Resistance was first identified as a marker-trait association in an inbred backcross (IBC) population derived from crossing Lycopersicon hirsutum accession (LA407) with L. esculentum. Single-marker QTL analysis suggested that at least two loci originating from L. hirsutum LA407, Rcm 2.0 on chromosome 2 and Rcm 5.1 on chromosome 5, contribute to resistance in replicated trials. Two segregating F(2) populations were developed by crossing resistant inbred backcross lines (IBLs) to elite L. esculentum lines and used to confirm QTL associations detected in the IBC population. In these populations, realized heritability estimates were higher for selection based on maximal disease than for selection based on disease progression. Realized heritability in the population carrying Rcm 2.0 was 0.63 and 0.14, respectively, for each selection criteria. Realized heritability estimates were 0.85 for selection based on maximal disease and 0.37 for selection based on disease progression in a population carrying Rcm 5.1. The disease response of F(3) families selected for resistance suggested that both Rcm 2.0 and Rcm 5.1 confer resistance to bacterial strains in the repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction DNA fingerprint classes A and C. Markers linked to Rcm 2.0 explained up to 56% of the total phenotypic variation for resistance in one population, and markers linked to Rcm 5.1 explained up to 73% of the total phenotypic variation for resistance in a separate population.     

Marker-assisted selection for disease resistance in wheat and barley breeding

Marker-assisted selection (MAS) provides opportunities for enhancing the response from selection because molecular markers can be applied at the seedling stage, with high precision and reductions in cost. About each of 50 genes conferring monogenic resistances and hundreds of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for quantitative disease resistances have been reported in wheat and barley. For detecting single-major gene resistance, MAS could be easily applied, but is often not necessary because the resistances are selected phenotypically. In quantitative disease resistances, MAS would be very useful, but the individual QTL often have small effects. Additionally, only a few monogenic resistances are durable and only a few QTL with high effects have been successfully transferred into elite breeding material. Further economic and biological constraints, e.g., a low return of investment in small-grain cereal breeding, lack of diagnostic markers, and the prevalence of QTL-background effects, hinder the broad implementation of MAS. Examples in which MAS has been successfully applied to practical breeding are the wheat rust resistance genes Lr34 and Yr36, the eyespot resistance gene Pch1, the recessive resistance genes rym4/rym5 to barley yellow mosaic viruses, mlo to barley powdery mildew, and two QTL for resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat (Fhb1 and Qfhs.ifa-5A). Newly identified broad-spectrum resistance genes/QTL conferring resistance to multiple taxa of pathogens offer additional perspectives for MAS. In the future, chip-based, high-throughput genotyping platforms and the introduction of genomic selection will reduce the current problems of integrating MAS in practical breeding programs and open new avenues for a molecular-based resistance breeding.     

Flooding affects the development of Plasmodiophora brassicae in Arabidopsis roots during the secondary phase of infection

Clubroot, a disease of Brassicaceae species, is caused by the soilborne pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae. High soil water content was previously described to favour the motility of zoospores and their penetration into root cells. In this study, the effect of irrigation regimes on clubroot development during the post‐invasive secondary phase of infection was investigated. Three irrigation regimes (low, standard, high) were tested on two Arabidopsis accessions, Col‐0 (susceptible) and Bur‐0, a partially resistant line. In Col‐0, clubroot symptoms and resting spore content were higher under the ‘low irrigation’ regime than the other two regimes, thus enhancing the phenotypic contrast between the two Arabidopsis accessions. Clubroot severity under high and low irrigation regimes was evaluated in near‐isogenic lines derived from a Col‐0 ×  Bur‐0 cross, to assess the effect of soil moisture on the expression of each of four quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling partial resistance. The presence of the Bur‐0 allele at the QTL PbAt5.2 resulted in reduced severity only under low irrigation, whereas the Bur‐0 allele at QTL PbAt5.1 was associated with partial resistance only under high irrigation. QTL PbAt4 reduced the number of resting spores in infected roots, but was not associated with reduced clubroot symptoms. The results indicated that soil moisture could have consequences for the secondary phase of clubroot development, depending on plant genotype. Future genetic studies may benefit from using combinations of watering conditions during the secondary stage of infection, thus opening up the possibility of identifying genetic factors expressed under specific environmental conditions.     

Phenotyping Kariega × Avocet S doubled haploid lines containing individual and combined adult plant stripe rust resistance loci

The bread wheat cultivar Kariega has maintained its stripe rust resistance since the first detection of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) in South Africa during 1996. Doubled haploid mapping population (MP) lines derived from a Kariega × Avocet S cross, carrying consistently detected adult plant resistance (APR) quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/gene combinations, were phenotyped at macroscopic and microscopic levels. Field data obtained over four seasons revealed that MP lines carrying a combination of any two of the APR loci QYr.sgi-2B.1, QYr.sgi-4A.1 or Yr18 displayed low coefficients of infection. Lines MP 45 and MP 65, carrying all three gene regions, showed leaf area infected and host reaction type ratings similar to Kariega. The microphenotype of lines was studied in flag leaves sampled from field plots during two seasons using fluorescence microscopy. Pst colony length, number of haustorial mother cells per colony and hypersensitivity index supported the phenotypic data. All three microscopy variables attested to low levels of disease in lines containing multiple stripe rust resistance loci. Lines MP 51 and MP 223 with a single QYr.sgi-2B.1 and Yr18, respectively, also showed adequate resistance, in contrast to lines carrying only QYr.sgi-4A.1 which showed significantly more disease symptoms. Host cell necrosis and lignification were revealed as mechanisms of resistance in some lines.     

Selection for quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to Stewart's wilt in sweet corn

The objectives of this research were to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for Stewart's wilt resistance from a mapping population derived from a sweet corn hybrid that is highly resistant to Pantoea stewartii and to determine if marker-based selection for those QTL could substantially improve Stewart's wilt resistance in a population derived from a cross of resistant lines and a highly susceptible sweet corn inbred. Three significant QTL for Stewart's wilt resistance on chromosomes 2 (bin 2.03), 5 (bin 5.03), and 6 (bin 6.06/6.07) explained 31% of the genetic variance in a population of 110 F(3:4) families derived from the sweet corn hybrid Bonus. The three QTL appeared to be additive in their effects on Stewart's wilt ratings. Based on means of families that were either homozygous or heterozygous for marker alleles associated with the resistance QTL, the QTL on chromosomes 2 and 6 appeared to have dominant or partially dominant gene action, while the QTL on chromosome 5 appeared to be recessive. A population of 422 BC(2)S(2) families was derived from crosses of a sweet corn inbred highly susceptible to Stewart's wilt, Green Giant Code 88 (GG88), and plants from two F(3:4) families (12465 and 12467) from the Bonus mapping population that were homozygous for marker alleles associated with Stewart's wilt resistance at the three QTL. Mean Stewart's wilt ratings for BC(2)S(2) families were significantly (P < 0.05) lower for families that were homozygous for the bnlg1902 marker allele (bin 5.03) from resistant lines 12465 or 12467 than for families that were heterozygous at this marker locus or homozygous for the bnlg1902 marker allele from GG88. Resistance associated with this QTL was expressed only if F(3:5) or BC(2)S(2) families were homozygous for marker alleles associated with the resistant inbred parent (P(1)). Marker alleles identified in the F(3:5) mapping population that were in proximity to the resistance QTL on chromosomes 2 and 6 were not polymorphic in crosses of GG88 with 12465 and 12467. Selection for other polymorphic marker loci adjacent to these two regions did not improve Stewart's wilt resistance of BC(2)S(2) families.     

Characterization of white mold disease avoidance in common bean

White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a devastating fungal disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) worldwide. Physiological resistance and disease avoidance conferred by plant architecture-related traits contribute to white mold field resistance. Our objective was to further examine white mold disease avoidance in common bean. A comparative map composed of 79 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for white mold resistance (27), disease avoidance traits (36) and root traits (16) was generated. Thirteen white mold resistance QTL, six with strong and seven with weak associations with disease avoidance traits, were observed. Root length and lodging QTL co-located in three regions. Canopy porosity and height, and lodging were highly correlated with disease severity score in field screening trials conducted from 2000 to 2011. Resistance to lodging was extremely important for reducing disease severity in both dry and snap bean (r?=?0.61 across 11 trials). Avoidance traits were less effective in reducing disease severity in trials with heavy disease pressure. Dry bean lines with physiological resistance in combination with disease avoidance traits did not require fungicide application to protect yield potential under moderate and heavy disease pressure. Given the complexity of disease resistance as evidenced by the comparative QTL map, marker-assisted breeding for disease avoidance is not recommended at this time. Instead, selecting for resistance to white mold in the field, in combination with high yield potential and acceptable maturity, is the recommended strategy for improving both disease avoidance and physiological resistance to white mold in cultivars with commercially acceptable agronomic traits.     

A comparison of disease severity measurements using image analysis and visual estimates using a category scale for genetic analysis of resistance to bacterial spot in tomato

Bacterial spot caused by several Xanthomonas spp. is an economically important disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Host resistance to the disease is partially dominant or incomplete, which requires accurate assessment of disease severity for genetic studies of resistance. In the present study, three independent experiments were conducted to investigate the feasibility of using image analysis to estimate foliar disease severity of bacterial spot in tomato. The resistant line PI 114490 and the susceptible line OH 88119 were used in the first experiment, five tomato lines (PI 114490, PI 128216, Hawaii 7981, Hawaii 7998, and Fla. 7600) with a range of resistance and OH 88119 were used in the second experiment, and 439 F₂ individuals from a cross between OH 88119 and PI 114490 were used in the third experiment. Tomato plants were spray-inoculated with bacterial spot race T3. Five diseased leaves from each plant were randomly collected and scanned to obtain digital images 21 days after inoculation. The disease severity (% leaf area) was measured using image analysis. The susceptible line OH 88119 showed the most severe disease. The resistant line PI 114490 showed the least severe disease, and was not significantly different to PI 128216 or Hawaii 7981. These results indicated that image analysis could be used to distinguish tomato lines with different resistance to bacterial spot. Marker-trait association analysis identified four quantitative trait loci conferring resistance to race T3 in PI 114490 using data obtained from image analysis, the Horsfall-Barratt (HB) category scale data, and HB midpoint converted values. However, the disease severity was slightly underestimated using the HB category scale and the phenotypic variation explained by each marker was overestimated using the HB category data compared to using the image analysis-measured disease severity data. Therefore, image analysis could provide a consistent, accurate and reliable method compared to the HB scale to estimate disease severity for genetic studies of foliar bacterial spot in tomato.     

Comparative Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping of Partial Resistance to Puccinia sorghi Across Four Populations of European Flint Maize

ABSTRACT We mapped and characterized quantitative trait loci (QTL) for partial resistance to Puccinia sorghi and investigated consistency across different European flint maize populations. Four independent populations, containing 280 F(3) lines (AxB(I)), 120 F(5) lines (AxB(II)), 131 F(4) lines (AxC), and 133 F(4) lines (CxD) were produced from four European elite flint inbreds (A, B, C, and D) and genotyped at 89, 151, 104, and 122 restriction fragment length polymorphism marker loci, respectively. All F(n) lines were evaluated in field trials with two replications in three or five (AxB(I)) environments. Genotypic variance was highly significant for rust ratings in all populations, and heritabilities exceeded 0.64. Between 4 and 13 QTL were detected in individual populations using composite interval mapping, explaining between 33 and 71% of the phenotypic variance. Twenty QTL were distributed over all ten chromosomes, without preference to chromosomes 3, 4, 6, and 10, which harbor qualitatively acting Rp loci. In most cases, gene action was additive or partially dominant. Four pairs of QTL displayed significant digenic epistatic interactions, and QTL-environment interactions were observed frequently. Approximately half of the QTL were consistent between AxB(I) and AxB(II) or AxC and CxD; fewer were consistent between AxB(I) and AxC or CxD. In European flint maize germ plasm, conventional selection for partial rust resistance seems to be more promising than marker-assisted selection.