The Aegilops ventricosa segment on chromosome 2AS of the wheat cultivar 'VPM1' carries the cereal cyst nematode resistance gene Cre5

Previous studies showed that the intermediate level of resistance in bread wheat line ‘VPM1’ to pathotype Ha12 of the cereal cyst nematode could be conferred by an Aegilops ventricosa‐derived gene, CreX, in chromosome arm 2AS, which also carries the rust resistance genes Yrl7, Lr37 and Sr38. Near isogenic lines (NILs) differing for the presence and absence of the Ae. ventricosa‐derived linked genes Yrl7/Lr37/Sr38 were tested with cereal cyst nematode. Lines carrying Yr17 produced significantly fewer nematode cysts than the controls. An infested soil experiment produced better differentiation among resistant and susceptible genotypes. Susceptibility of ‘Trident’ indicated that linkage between CreX and Yr17 is incomplete. Microsatellite markers did not differentiate between ‘Trident’ and CreX‐carrying genotypes. However, Xgwm636 (104) was associated with the presence of Yr17 in all six genetic backgrounds. Since none of the reported cereal cyst nematode resistance genes is located in chromosome 2AS, CreX was designated as Cre5.     

Chromosome localisation of genes for resistance to Heterodera schachtii, Cercospora beticola and Polymyxa betae using sets of Beta procumbens and B. patellaris derived monosomic additions in B. vulgaris

Beet cyst nematodes (BCN, Heterodera schachtii), Cercospora beticola, and rhizomania, caused by the beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) and vectored by the soil-borne fungus Polymyxa betae, are the most serious diseases of sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris). The wild Beta species of section Procumbentes are known to be completely resistant to H. schachtii, C. beticola and P. betae. Alien monosomic additions (2n=19), plants of cultivated beet (2n=18) carrying different individual chromosomes of B. procumbens (2n=18) or B. patellaris (2n=36), were tested in greenhouse experiments for resistance to these pathogens. Gene(s) conferring full resistance to the beet cyst nematode in B. patellaris are located on chromosome 1.1, and the other tested chromosomes of B. patellaris are not involved in the expression of resistance. Artificial inoculation under greenhouse conditions, with in vitro produced inoculum of C. beticola and spot-percentage rating of the disease intensity, showed that the high level of resistance that was observed in the wild species B. procumbens and B. patellaris was not found in any of the monosomic additions tested. It was suggested that genes on various chromosomes of the wild species are needed to express full resistance, and that the chromosomes of group 7 of B. patellaris and chromosome 7 of B. procumbens have the largest effect. The greenhouse tests for resistance to P. betae in B. patellaris derived monosomic additions showed that the addition families of group 4.1 have a strong partial resistance, while the addition families of group 8.1 appeared to be completely resistant to the pathogen. Resistance to P. betae in the two wild species as well as in the two resistant addition types did not exclude infection with BNYVV, but resulted in a considerable reduction of the virus concentration. It was concluded that resistance to the vector would complement virus resistance, and may provide a more effective and durable control of rhizomania. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nematode Resistance and Meiotic Abnormality in Diploid Sugar Beet Selected from Interspecific Beta vulgaris×B. procumbens Hybrids*

Two nematode-resistant trisomic lines which were derived from interspecific Beta, vulgaris × B. procumbens hybrids were intercrossed or backcrossed with susceptible diploid sugar beer and their progenies were screened for nematode resistance. The transmission rate of resistance varied from 1.5 % to 47.6 % with an average of 20.4 % in the progenies of individual insomics derived from the two trisomic lines. Eleven resistant diploads were selected with a frequency of 0.2 %. These resistant diploids were classified into two groups, i.e., one group showed relatively high transmission rates of resistance with an average of 25.4 % and the other extremely low with an average of 1.2 % in their backcrossed and s el fed progenies., Meiotic chromosome behavior in a resistant diploid group with high transmission rates was considerably normal as compared to that in a resistant diploid group with low transmission rates. Chromatid bridges and acertric fragments were detected in 93 % of resistant diploids and in 46 % of susceptible diploids. Two different sized fragments occurred in resistant diploids, while only a smaller fragment was present in susceptible diploids. A frequency of sporocytes with bridges-fragments was 17.4% at anaphase I and 13.9 % at anaphase II in resistant diploids, while in susceptible diploids a frequency was 2.9 % and 5.3 % at the respective stages. These results suggest that at least two paracentric inversions are present in resistant diploids, one of which is linked to nernatode resistance and may be responsible for the low transmission rate of resistance.     

Genetics of soybean-Heterodera glycines system

Genetics of resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe is very complex. Crosses involving PI 437654, which is resistant to all races of cyst nematodes with other sources of resistance (Peking, PI 88788, and PI 90763) indicated that resistance to race 3 was controlled by four genes, two of which were dominant resistance genes and the other two were recessive resistance genes. For race 5, a four gene model with two recessive and two dominant resistance genes in epistasis has been proposed. For race 14, the results suggested a three gene model with one dominant and two recessive alleles. Several other plant introductions have been isolated which have different genes conditioning resistance. Most of the currently grown soybean varieties derived resistance from Peking and/or PI 88788. Resistance to SCN in these soybean varieties has broken down because of the emergence of several new races and populations of SCN. The use of PI 437654 or Hartwig and other plant introductions with different genes for resistance will broaden genetic diversity and stabilize yield.     

Investigations on resistance of oats to Heterodera avenae: Location of resistance genes

Summary By using 15 available mono/nullisomic lines of Sun II back ground, the Heterodera avenae resistance gene in Nelson (from Avena sativa CI 3444) and Panema (from A. sterilis I. 376) were located on monosome XV. Genes with smaller effects were located on monosomes VIII and X. The absence of these genes derived from Sun II would increase cyst production on plants lacking major resistance genes.     

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

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

The development of Raparadish (x Brassicoraphanus, 2n=38), a new crop in agriculture

Summary Raparadish, x Brassicoraphanus, the amphidiploid hybrid between Brassica rapa (syn. B.campestris) and Raphanus sativus (fodder radish) was made by Dolstra (1982). Primary hybrid plants grew vigorously, suggesting that the amphidiploid AARR might be useful as a fodder crop. Three populations of this new material were studied, with special attention to improvement of fertility and resistance to beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii), whilst preserving genetic variability. For lack of progress one of the populations was abandoned after the fourth generation. The other two populations were observed through nine or ten generations. Apart from the last two generations mass selection for seed set was carried out on the basis of single plants. This led to a considerable increase in average seed production, without losing a wide variation for this trait. Thus more progress is being expected. Five cycles of mass selection for resistance to beet cyst nematodes led to a considerable increase of the level of resistance of both populations. The prospects of this new agricultural crop are discussed.