Mapping and diagnostic marker development for Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus resistance in bread wheat

Monogenically-inherited resistance to Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus (SBCMV) in hexaploid bread wheat cultivars ‘Tremie’ and ‘Claire’ was mapped on chromosome 5D. The two closest flanking markers identified in the Claire-derived mapping population, Xgwm469-5D and E37M49, are linked to the resistance locus at distances of 1 and 9 cm, respectively. Xgwm469-5D co-segregated with the SBCMV resistance in the Tremie-derived population and with the recently identified Sbm1 locus in the cv. Cadenza. This suggested that Tremie and Claire carry a resistance gene allelic to Sbm1, or one closely linked to it. The diagnostic value of Xgwm469-5D was assessed using a collection of SBCMV resistant and susceptible cultivars. Importantly, all susceptible genotypes carried a null allele of Xgwm469-5D, whereas resistant genotypes presumably related to either Claire and Tremie or Cadenza revealed a 152 or 154 bp allele of Xgwm469-5D, respectively. Therefore, Xgwm469-5D is well suited for marker assisted selection for SBCMV resistance.     

High-density genetic and physical bin mapping of wheat chromosome 1D reveals that the powdery mildew resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pm24</Emphasis> is located in a highly recombinogenic region

Genetic maps of wheat chromosome 1D consisting of 57 microsatellite marker loci were constructed using Chinese Spring (CS) × Chiyacao F₂ and the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) mapping populations. Marker order was consistent, but genetic distances of neighboring markers were different in two populations. Physical bin map of 57 microsatellite marker loci was generated by means of 10 CS 1D deletion lines. The physical bin mapping indicated that microsatellite marker loci were not randomly distributed on chromosome 1D. Nineteen of the 24 (79.2%) microsatellite markers were mapped in the distal 30% genomic region of 1DS, whereas 25 of the 33 (75.8%) markers were assigned to the distal 59% region of 1DL. The powdery mildew resistance gene Pm24, originating from the Chinese wheat landrace Chiyacao, was previously mapped in the vicinity of the centromere on the short arm of chromosome 1D. A high density genetic map of chromosome 1D was constructed, consisting of 36 markers and Pm24, with a total map length of 292.7 cM. Twelve marker loci were found to be closely linked to Pm24. Pm24 was flanked by Xgwm789 (Xgwm603) and Xbarc229 with genetic distances of 2.4 and 3.6 cM, respectively, whereas a microsatellite marker Xgwm1291 co-segregated with Pm24. The microsatellite marker Xgwm1291 was assigned to the bin 1DS5-0.70-1.00 of the chromosome arm 1DS. It could be concluded that Pm24 is located in the ‘1S0.8 gene-rich region’, a highly recombinogenic region of wheat. The results presented here would provide a start point for the map-based cloning of Pm24.     

Efficacy of pyramiding elite alleles for dynamic development of plant height in common wheat

Plant height is an important botanical feature closely related to yield. Two populations consisting of 118 and 262 accessions respectively were used to identify elite alleles for plant height and to validate their allelic effects. Plant height was measured from the early booting to the flowering stages. Simple sequence repeat markers for candidate quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions with large effects identified in a doubled haploid (DH) population (Hanxuan 10 × Lumai 14) were selected for further verification by association analysis. Nine loci significantly (P < 0.001) associated with plant height were detected 13 times in the population with 118 accessions. Three loci (Xgwm11-1B, Xwmc349-4B and Xcfd23-4D) were identified in three, two and two periods of plant height growth, respectively. Markers Xbarc168-2D, Xgwm249-2D, Xwmc349-4B, Xcfd23-4D and Xgwm410-5A located at or near additive QTL regions in the DH population proved to coincide with known Rht loci. The results showed a consistency between linkage analysis and association mapping, and also confirmed the value of fine mapping of QTL through combined linkage and association analyses. For final plant height, the alleles Xgwm11-1B ₂₀₈ , Xwmc349-4B ₁₀₃ and Xcfd23-4D ₂₀₂ exhibited negative effects, i.e. reducing plant height; Xwmc349-4B ₁₀₁ and Xcfd23-4D ₂₀₅ showed significant positive effects. A second larger population (262 accessions) was used to validate the effects of these large-effect alleles and the efficacy of pyramiding in eight environments (year × site × water regime combinations). Strong correlations between final plant height and numbers of large-effect alleles indicated that the alleles contributed additively to plant height. The additive effects showed that pyramiding elite alleles for target traits has significant potential for wheat breeding.     

Quantitative trait loci for resistance to spot blotch caused by Bipolarissorokiniana in wheat (T.aestivum L.) lines ‘Ning 8201’ and ‘Chirya 3’

Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is a destructive disease of wheat in warm and humid wheat growing regions of the world. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for spot blotch resistance, two mapping populations were developed by making the crosses between common susceptible cultivar ‘Sonalika’ with the resistant breeding lines ‘Ning 8201’ and ‘Chirya 3’. Single seed descent derived F₆, F₇, F₈ lines of the first cross ‘Ning 8201’ × ‘Sonalika’ were evaluated for resistance to spot blotch in three blocks in each of the 3 years. After screening of 388 pairs of simple sequence repeat primers between the two parents, 119 polymorphic markers were used to genotype the mapping population. Four QTLs were identified on the chromosomes 2AS, 2BS, 5BL and 7DS and explained 62.9% of phenotypic variation in a simultaneous fit. The QTL on chromosome 2A was detected only in 1 year and explained 22.7% of phenotypic variation. In the second cross (‘Chirya 3’ × ‘Sonalika’), F₇ and F₈ population were evaluated in three blocks in each of the 2 years. In this population, five QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2BS, 2DS, 3BS, 7BS and 7DS. The QTLs identified in the ‘Chirya 3’ × ‘Sonalika’ population explained 43.4% of phenotypic variation in a simultaneous fit. The alleles for reduced disease severity in both the populations were derived from the respective resistant parent. The QTLs QSb.bhu-2B and QSb.bhu-7D from both populations were placed in the same deletion bins, 2BS1-0.53-0.75 and 7DS5-0.36-0.61, respectively. The closely linked markers Xgwm148 to the QTL on chromosome 2B and Xgwm111 to the QTL on chromosome 7D are potentially diagnostic markers for spot blotch resistance.     

Molecular markers for tracking variation in lipoxygenase activity in wheat breeding

Lipoxygenase (LOX) activity is an important factor determining the color of flour and end-use products of wheat. In the present study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) for LOX activity in common wheat were mapped using 71 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from a Zhongyou 9507 × CA9632 cross, and SSR markers. Two QTL, QLpx.caas.1AL and QLpx.caas-4B, were identified on chromosomes 1AL and 4B, closely associated with LOX activity. The SSR loci Xwmc312 and Xgwm251 proved to be diagnostic and explained 13.4–25.2% of the phenotypic variance for the 1AL locus and 14.3–27.0% for the 4B locus across four environments. The SSR markers Xgwm251 and Xwmc312 were validated across 198 Chinese wheat cultivars and advanced lines and showed highly significant (P < 0.01) association with LOX activity. We further established a multiplexed PCR with SSR marker combination Xwmc312/Xgwm251 to test these wheat cultivars and advanced lines. The results suggested that the marker combination Xwmc312/Xgwm251 is efficient and reliable for evaluating LOX activity and can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for targeting flour color attributes to noodle and other wheat-based products.     

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for ChlorophyⅡ Fluorescence and Associated Traits in Wheat （ Triticum aestivum）

Parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics （PCFKs） under drought stress condition are generally used to characterize instincts for dehydration tolerance in wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）. Therefore, it is important to map quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for PCFKs in wheat genetic improvement for drought tolerance. A doubled haploid （DH） population with 150 lines, derived from a cross between two common wheat varieties, Hanxuan 10 and Lumai 14, was used to analyze the correlation between PCFKs and chlorophyll content （CHIC） and to map QTLs at the grainfilling stage under conditions of both rainfed （drought stress, DS） and well-watered （WW）, respectively. QTLs for these traits were detected by QTLMapper version 1.0 based on the composite Interval mapping method of the mixed-linear model. The results showed a very significant positive correlation between Fv, Fm, Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo. The correlation coefficients were generally higher under WW than under DS. Also, there was a significant or a highly significant positive correlation between Fv, Fm, Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo and CHIC. The correlation coefficients were higher in the DS group than the WW group. A total of 14 additive QTLs （nine QTLs detected under DS and five QTLs under WW） and 25 pairs of eplstatlc QTLs （15 pairs detected under DS and 10 pairs under WW） for PCFKs were mapped on chromosomes 6A, 7A, 1B, 3B, 4D and 7D. The contributions of additive QTLs for PCFKs to phenotype variation were from 8.40% to 72.72%. Four additive QTLs （two QTLs detected under DS and WW apiece） controlling Chic were mapped on chromosomes 1A, 5A and 7A. The contributions of these QTLs for ChIC to phenotype variation were from 7.27% to 11.68%. Several QTL clusters were detected on chromosomes 1B, 7A and 7D, but no shared chromosomal regions for them were identified under different water regimes, indicating that these QTLs performed different expression patterns under rainfed and well-watered conditions.     

Fine mapping of the region on wheat chromosome 7D controlling grain weight

We report the fine mapping of the previously described quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain weight QTgw.ipk-7D associated with microsatellite marker Xgwm1002-7D by using introgression lines (ILs) carrying introgressions of the synthetic wheat W-7984 in the genetic background of the German winter wheat variety ‘Prinz’. The BC₄F₃ ILs had a 10% increased thousand grain weight compared to the control group and the recurrent parent ‘Prinz’, and 84.7% of the phenotypic variance could be explained by the segregation of marker Xgwm1002-7D, suggesting the presence of a gene modulating grain weight, which was preliminarily designated gw1. It was possible to delimit the QTL QTgw.ipk-7D to the interval Xgwm295–Xgwm1002, which is located in the most telomeric bin 7DS4-0.61-1.00 in the physical map of wheat chromosome arm 7DS. Furthermore, our data suggest the presence of a novel plant height-reducing locus Rht on chromosome arm 7DS of ‘Prinz’. Larger grain and increased plant height may reflect the pleiotropic action of one gene or may be caused by two linked genes. In general, our data support the concept of using nearly isogenic ILs for validating and dissecting QTLs into single Mendelian genes and open the gateway for map-based cloning of a grain-weight QTL in wheat.     

Characterization of a 5HS-7DS.7DL wheat-barley translocation line and physical mapping of the 7D chromosome using SSR markers

A spontaneous wheat-barley translocation line was previously detected in the progenies of the Mv9kr1?×?‘Igri’ wheat-barley hybrid and the translocation was identified as 5HS-7DS.7DL. Multicolor genomic in situ hybridization (mcGISH) with D and H genomic DNA probes and three-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with repetitive DNA probes (Afa-family, pSc119.2, and pTa71) were performed to characterize the rearranged chromosome. The effect of 5HS and the deleted 7DS fragment on the morphological traits (plant height, fertility, yield, and spike characteristics) of wheat was assessed. Despite the non-compensating nature of the translocation, the plants showed good viability. The aim of the study was to physically localize SSR markers to the telomeric and subtelomeric regions of the 7DS chromosome arm. Of the 45 microsatellite markers analyzed, ten (Xbarc0184, Xwmc0506, Xgdm0130, Xgwm0735, Xgwm1258, Xgwm1123, Xgwm1250, Xgwm1055, Xgwm1220, and Xgwm0635) failed to amplify any 7DS-specific fragments, signaling the elimination of a short chromosome segment in the telomeric region. The breakpoint of the 5HS-7DS.7DL translocation appeared to be more distal than that of reported deletion lines, which provides a new physical landmark for future deletion mapping studies.     

Cytogenetic and molecular mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene Lr39 in wheat

Leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina Eriks,is one of the most serious diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum AABBDD, 2n=6x=42) worldwide. Growing resistant cultivars is an efficient and economical method of reducing losses to leaf rust. Here we report a new leaf rust resistance gene, Lr39, transferred from Aegilops tauschii into common wheat. Lr39 conditions both seedling and adult plant resistance to the leaf rust pathogen. The inter- and intra-chromosomal mapping of the Lr39 gene showed that it is different from all previously described Lr genes. We used monosomic analysis for the inter-chromosomal mapping and wheat microsatellite markers for the intra-chromosomal mapping. The monosomic and ditelosomic analysis indicated that Lr39 is independent of the centromere on the short arm of chromosome 2D. Eight microsatellite markers for 2DS were used for linkage analysis on a population of 57 F₂ plants derived from a cross of an Ae. tauschii-derived wheat, cv. Wichita line TA4186 (possessing Lr39), with Wichita monosomics for the D-genome chromosomes. The microsatellite marker analysis confirmed the location of the gene on 2DS. Three markers were polymorphic and linked to the gene. The closest marker Xgwm210 mapped 10.7 cM from Lr39. The location of Lr39 near the telomere of 2DS distinguishes it from the Lr2 and Lr22 loci, which are located on 2DS proximal to Xgwm210. Received: 19 April 2000 / Accepted: 15 May 2000     

Identification of QTL for Early Vigor and Stay-Green Conferring Tolerance to Drought in Two Connected Advanced Backcross Populations in Tropical Maize (Zea mays L.)

We aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for secondary traits related to grain yield (GY) in two BC₁F_2:3 backcross populations (LPSpop and DTPpop) under well-watered (4 environments; WW) and drought stressed (6; DS) conditions to facilitate breeding efforts towards drought tolerant maize. GY reached 5.6 and 5.8 t/ha under WW in the LPSpop and the DTPpop, respectively. Under DS, grain yield was reduced by 65% (LPSpop) to 59% (DTPpop) relative to WW. GY was strongly associated with the normalized vegetative index (NDVI; r ranging from 0.61 to 0.96) across environmental conditions and with an early flowering under drought stressed conditions (r ranging from -0.18 to -0.25) indicative of the importance of early vigor and drought escape for GY. Out of the 105 detected QTL, 53 were overdominant indicative of strong heterosis. For 14 out of 18 detected vigor QTL, as well as for eight flowering time QTL the trait increasing allele was derived from CML491. Collocations of early vigor QTL with QTL for stay green (bin 2.02, WW, LPSpop; 2.07, DS, DTPpop), the number of ears per plant (bins 2.02, 2.05, WW, LPSpop; 5.02, DS, LPSpop) and GY (bin 2.07, WW, DTPpop; 5.04, WW, LPSpop), reinforce the importance of the observed correlations. LOD scores for early vigor QTL in these bins ranged from 2.2 to 11.25 explaining 4.6 (additivity: +0.28) to 19.9% (additivity: +0.49) of the observed phenotypic variance. A strong flowering QTL was detected in bin 2.06 across populations and environmental conditions explaining 26–31.3% of the observed phenotypic variation (LOD: 13–17; additivity: 0.1–0.6d). Improving drought tolerance while at the same time maintaining yield potential could be achieved by combining alleles conferring early vigor from the recurrent parent with alleles advancing flowering from the donor. Additionally bin 8.06 (DTPpop) harbored a QTL for GY under WW (additivity: 0.27 t/ha) and DS (additivity: 0.58 t/ha). R² ranged from 0 (DTPpop, WW) to 26.54% (LPSpop, DS) for NDVI, 18.6 (LPSpop, WW) to 42.45% (LPSpop, DS) for anthesis and from 0 (DTPpop, DS) to 24.83% (LPSpop, WW) for GY. Lines out-yielding the best check by 32.5% (DTPpop, WW) to 60% (DTPpop, DS) for all population-by-irrigation treatment combination (except LPSpop, WW) identified are immediately available for the use by breeders.     

Identification of microsatellite markers linked to leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr25</Emphasis> in wheat

The leaf rust resistance gene Lr25, transferred from Secale cereale L. into wheat and located on chromosome 4B, imparts resistance to all pathotypes of leaf rust in South-East Asia. In an F₂-derived F₃ population, created by crossing TcLr25 that carries the gene Lr25 for leaf rust resistance with leaf rust-susceptible parent Agra Local, three microsatellite markers located on the long arm of chromosome 4B were found to be linked to the Lr25 locus. The donor parent TcLr25 is a near-isogenic line derived from the variety Thatcher. The most virulent pathotype of leaf rust in the South-East Asian region, designated 77–5 (121R63-1), was used for challenging the population under artificially controlled conditions. The marker Xgwm251 behaved as a co-dominant marker placed 3.8 cM away from the Lr25 locus on 4BL. Two null allele markers, Xgwm538 and Xgwm6, in the same linkage group were located at a distance of 3.8 cM and 16.2 cM from the Lr25 locus, respectively. The genetic sequence of Xgwm251, Lr25, Xgwm538, and Xgwm6 covered a total length of 20 cM on 4BL. The markers were validated for their specificity to Lr25 resistance in a set of 43 wheat genetic stocks representing 43 other Lr genes.     

Genetic dissection of seminal root architecture in elite durum wheat germplasm

Although root architecture has been shown to play an important role in crop performance, particularly under drought conditions, no information is available on the genetic control of root traits in durum wheat, a crop largely grown in rainfed areas with low rainfall. In our study, a panel of 57 elite durum wheat accessions were evaluated under controlled conditions for root and shoot traits at the seedling stage. Significant genetic variability was detected for all the root and shoot traits that were investigated. Correlation analysis suggested that root and shoot features were only partially controlled by common sets of genes. The high linkage disequilibrium (up to 5 cM) present in the germplasm collection herein considered allowed us to use simple sequence repeat‐based association mapping to identify chromosome regions with significant effects on the investigated traits. In total, 15 chromosome regions showed significant effects on one or more root architectural features. A number of these regions also influenced shoot traits and, in some cases, plant height measured in field conditions. Major effects were detected on chromosome arms 2AL (at Xgwm294), 7AL (at Xcfa2257 and Xgwm332) and 7BL (at Xgwm577 and Xcfa2040). The accessions with the most remarkable differences in root features will provide a valuable opportunity to assemble durum wheat mapping populations well suited for ascertaining the effects of root architecture on water use efficiency and grain yield.     

Utilization of drought-tolerant bacterial strains isolated from harsh soils as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)

Drought stress adversely affects plant health and productivity. Recently, drought-resistant bacterial isolates are used to combat drought resistance in crops. In this in vitro study, 20 bacterial isolates were isolated from harsh soil; their drought tolerance was evaluated using four concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. The two most efficient isolates (DS4 and DS9) were selected and identified using 16S rRNA genetic sequencing. They were registered in the NCBI database and deposited under accession numbers MW916285 and MW916307 for Bacillus cereus (DS4) and Bacillus albus (DS9), respectively. These isolates were screened for plant growth-promoting properties compared to non-stressed conditions. Biochemical parameters; Proline, salicylic acid, gibberellic acid (GA), indole acetic acid (IAA), antioxidant activity, and antioxidant enzymes were measured under the same conditions, and in vitro seed germination was tested under stress conditions and inoculation with selected isolates. The results showed that under the harsh conditions of PEG6000, DS4 produced the highest amount of IAA of 1.61 µg/ml, followed by DS9 with 0.9 µg/ml. The highest amount of GA (49.95 µg/ml) was produced by DS9. On the other hand, the highest amount of siderophore was produced from DS4 isolate followed by DS9. Additionally, DS4 isolate recorded the highest exopolysaccharide (EPS) content of 3.4 mg/ml under PEG (-1.2 MPa) followed by DS9. The antioxidant activity increased in PEG concentrations depending manner, and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes increased, as catalase (CAT) recorded the highest activity in DS4 with an amount of 1.095 mg/ml. additionally, an increase in biofilm formation was observed under drought conditions. The isolated mixture protected the plant from the harmful effects of drought and showed an increase in the measured variables. Under unstressed conditions, the highest rates of emulsification index (EI 24%) were obtained for DS4 and DS9, at 14.92 and 11.54, respectively, and decreased under stress. The highest values of germination, total seedling length, and vigor index were obtained upon inoculation with the combination of two strains, and were 100%, 4.10 cm, and 410, respectively. Therefore, two strains combination is an effective vaccine capable of developing and improving drought tolerance in dryland plants.     

Mapping QTL for drought stress-induced premature senescence and maturity in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Cowpea is an important crop for subsistence farmers in arid regions of Africa, Asia, and South America. Efforts to develop cultivars with improved productivity under drought conditions are constrained by lack of molecular markers associated with drought tolerance. Here, we report the mapping of 12 quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with seedling drought tolerance and maturity in a cowpea recombinant inbred (RIL) population. One hundred and twenty-seven F₈ RILs developed from a cross between IT93K503-1 and CB46 were screened with 62 EcoR1 and Mse1 primer combinations to generate 306 amplified fragment length polymorphisms for use in genetic linkage mapping. The same population was phenotyped for maintenance of stem greenness (stg) and recovery dry weight (rdw) after drought stress in six greenhouse experiments. In field experiments conducted over 3 years, visual ratings and dry weights were used to phenotype drought stress-induced premature senescence in the RIL population. Kruskall–Wallis and multiple-QTL model mapping analysis were used to identify QTL associated with drought response phenotypes. Observed QTL were highly reproducible between stg and rdw under greenhouse conditions. Field studies confirmed all ten drought-response QTL observed under greenhouse conditions. Regions harboring drought-related QTL were observed on linkage groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 accounting for between 4.7 and 24.2% of the phenotypic variance (R ²). Further, two QTL for maturity (R ² = 14.4–28.9% and R ² = 11.7–25.2%) mapped on linkage groups 7 and 8 separately from drought-related QTL. These results provide a platform for identification of genetic determinants of seedling drought tolerance in cowpea. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

BAC-derived markers for assaying the stem rust resistance gene, Sr2, in wheat breeding programs

Durable broad-spectrum, adult-plant stem rust resistance in wheat conferred by the Sr2 gene has remained effective against Puccinia graminis f. sp tritici worldwide for more than 50 years. The Sr2 gene has been positioned on the physical map of wheat to the distal 25% portion of the short arm of chromosome 3B. Selection for this gene in wheat breeding programs within Australia has been performed so far through the use of the linked pseudo black chaff (PBC) phenotype and of the microsatellite markers Xgwm389 and Xgwm533 that flank the gene. The molecular markers flank a genetic interval of approximately 4 cM equating to a physical distance of over 10 Mbp. Recently, a 3B-specific BAC library was developed and a physical map established for this region. Analysis of the sequence of minimal tiling path-BAC clones within the region containing the Sr2 gene enabled the development of three new markers that were mapped within the Xgwm389–Xgwm533 genetic interval and tightly linked to the Sr2 gene. Screening a wide range of germplasm containing the Sr2 gene with these markers demonstrated their usefulness for marker-assisted selection in Australian wheat breeding programs.     

Molecular mapping of adult-plant race-specific leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr12</Emphasis> in bread wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) gene Lr12 provides adult-plant race-specific resistance to leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina. It is completely linked or identical to Lr31, which confers seedling resistance only when the complementary gene Lr27 is also present. F₂ and F₂-derived F₃ families were developed from a cross between the susceptible variety Thatcher and TcLr12, an isoline carrying Lr12. Of 230 F₃ families, 55 were homozygous resistant, 115 were segregating for resistance, and 60 were susceptible to P. triticina, fitting a monogenic 1:2:1 segregation ratio. Lr12 was mapped on chromosome arm 4BL and was flanked by markers Xgwm251 and Xgwm149 at distances of 0.9 and 1.9 cM, respectively. Using linked markers and wheat deletion stocks, Lr12 was located in deletion bin 4BL-5, FL = 0.86–1.0, comprising the terminal 14% of 4BL. The markers will be useful for following Lr12/Lr31 in crosses and for further mapping studies.     

Mapping QTLs for pre-harvest sprouting tolerance on chromosome 2D in a synthetic hexaploid wheat×common wheat cross

Based on segregation distortion of simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers, we detected a significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) tolerance on the short arm of chromosome 2D (2DS) in the extremely susceptible population of F₂ progeny generated from the cross of PHS tolerant synthetic hexaploid wheat cultivar ‘RSP’ and PHS susceptible bread wheat cultivar ‘88–1643’. To identify the QTL of PHS tolerance, we constructed two SSR-based genetic maps of 2DS in 2004 and 2005. One putative QTL associated with PHS tolerance, designatedQphs.sau-2D, was identified within the marker intervalsXgwm261-Xgwm484 in 2004 and in the next year, nearly in the same position, between markerswmc112 andXgwm484. Confidence intervals based on the LOD-drop-off method ranged from 9 cM to 15.4 cM and almost completely overlapped with marker intervalXgwm261-Xgwm484. Flanking markers near this QTL could be assigned to the C-2DS1-0.33 chromosome bin, suggesting that the gene(s) controlling PHS tolerance is located in that chromosome region. The phenotypic variation explained by this QTL was about 25.73–27.50%. Genotyping of 48 F₆ PHS tolerant plants derived from the cross between PHS tolerant wheat cultivar ‘RSP’ and PHS susceptible bread wheat cultivar ‘MY11’ showed that the allele ofQphs.sau-2D found in the ‘RSP’ genome may prove useful for the improvement of PHS tolerance.     

Resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus</Emphasis> in durum wheat is controlled by a major QTL on chromosome arm 2BS and minor loci

Soil-borne cereal mosaic (SBCM) is a viral disease, which seriously affects hexaploid as well as tetraploid wheat crops in Europe. In durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), the elite germplasm is characterized by a wide range of responses to SBCMV, from susceptibility to almost complete resistance. In this study, the genetic analysis of SBCMV resistance was carried out using a population of 181 durum wheat recombinant inbred lines (RILs) obtained from Meridiano (resistant) × Claudio (moderately susceptible), which were profiled with SSR and DArT markers. The RILs were characterized for SBCMV response in the field under severe and uniform SBCMV infection during 2007 and 2008. A wide range of disease reactions (as estimated by symptom severity and DAS-ELISA) was observed. A large portion of the variability for SBCMV response was explained by a major QTL (QSbm.ubo-2BS) located in the distal telomeric region of chromosome 2BS near the marker triplet Xbarc35–Xwmc661–Xgwm210, with R ² values ranging from 51.6 to 91.6%. The favorable allele was contributed by Meridiano. Several QTLs with minor effects on SBCMV response were also detected. Consistently with the observed transgressive segregation, the resistance alleles at minor QTLs were contributed by both parents. The presence and effects of QSbm.ubo-2BS were validated through association mapping in a panel of 111 elite durum wheat accessions.