Identification of QTLs conferring resistance to downy mildews of maize in Asia

Downy mildew is one of the most destructive diseases of maize in subtropical and tropical regions in Asia. As a prerequisite for improving downy mildew resistance in maize, we analyzed quantitative trait loci (QTLs) involved in resistance to the important downy mildew pathogens--Peronosclerospora sorghi (sorghum downy mildew) and P. heteropogoni (Rajasthan downy mildew) in India, P. maydis (Java downy mildew) in Indonesia, P. zeae in Thailand and P. philippinensis in the Philippines--using a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between Ki3 (downy mildew resistant) and CML139 (susceptible). Resistance was evaluated as percentage disease incidence in replicated field trials at five downy mildew 'hotspots' in the four countries. Heritability estimates of individual environments ranged from 0.58 to 0.75 with an across environment heritability of 0.50. Composite interval mapping was applied for QTL detection using a previously constructed restriction fragment length polymorphism linkage map. The investigation resulted in the identification of six genomic regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 7 and 10 involved in the resistance to the downy mildews under study, explaining, in total, 26-57% of the phenotypic variance for disease response. Most QTL alleles conferring resistance to the downy mildews were from Ki3. All QTLs showed significant QTL x environment interactions, suggesting that the expression of the QTL may be environment-dependent. A strong QTL on chromosome 6 was stable across environments, significantly affecting disease resistance at the five locations in four Asian countries. Simple-sequence repeat markers tightly linked to this QTL were identified for potential use in marker-assisted selection.     

Haplotyping and mapping a large cluster of downy mildew resistance gene candidates in sunflower using multilocus intron fragment length polymorphisms

Downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berlese et de Toni) is a serious foliar pathogen of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Genetic resistance is conditioned by several linked downy mildew resistance gene specificities in the HaRGC1 cluster of TIR-NBS-LRR resistance gene candidates (RGCs) on linkage group 8. The complexity and diversity of the HaRGC1 cluster was assessed by multilocus intron fragment length polymorphism (IFLP) genotyping using a single pair of primers flanking a hypervariable intron located between the TIR and NBS domains. Two to 23 bands were amplified per germplasm accession. The size of the included intron ranged from 89 to 858 nucleotides. Forty-eight unique markers were distinguished among 24 elite inbred lines, six partially isogenic inbred lines, nine open-pollinated populations, four Native American land races, and 20 wild H. annuus populations. Nine haplotypes (based on 24 RGCs) were identified among elite inbred lines and were correlated with known downy mildew resistance specificities. Sixteen out of 39 RGCs identified in wild H. annuus populations were not observed in elite germplasm. Five partially isogenic downy mildew resistant lines developed from wild H. annuus and H. praecox donors carried eight RGCs not found in other elite inbred lines. Twenty-four HaRGC1 loci were mapped to a 2-4 cM segment of linkage group 8. The multilocus IFLP marker and duplicated, hypervariable microsatellite markers tightly linked to the HaRGC1 cluster are powerful tools for distinguishing downy mildew resistance gene specificities and identifying and introgressing new downy mildew resistance gene specificities from wild sunflowers.     

Cloning of AFLP markers linked to resistance to Peronosclerospora sorghi in maize

Genetic mapping of resistance genes for sorghum downy mildew (SDM) in maize revealed multiple-locus inheritance. A combination of AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) technique with bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was applied to map the genes involved in the resistance to SDM (Peronosclerospora sorghi) in a recombinant inbred population. Three AFLP markers were identified and mapped to chromosomes 1 and 9, in regions previously associated with SDM resistance. One other AFLP marker was found to be associated with disease susceptibility but could not be linked to any chromosome. These four AFLP fragments were isolated, cloned and sequenced. A BLAST search of the GenBank database showed that none of these four sequences was closely related to resistance genes that have been reported previously. Sequence-characterized amplified regions (SCARs) were produced and used to assess the presence of SDM resistance genes and characterize specific genotypes. These markers may be useful in marker-assisted breeding programs.     

A molecular marker that segregates with sorghum leaf blight resistance in one cross is maternally inherited in another

Leaf blight-resistant sorghum accession SC326-6 was crossed to the susceptible cultivar BTx623 to analyze the genetic basis for resistance. Field scoring of inoculated F₂ progeny revealed that resistance was transmitted as a dominant single-gene trait. By combining the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique with bulked-segregant analysis, it was possible to identify PCR amplification products that␣segregated with disease response. Primer OPD12 amplified a 323-bp band (D12R) that segregated with resistance. Creation of longer primers, or SCARs (sequence characterized amplified regions) for D12R resulted in the amplification of a single major band of the predicted size from all the resistant F₂ progeny and the resistant parent SC326-6, but not from BTx623 or 24 of 29 susceptible F₂ progeny. The SCAR primers also amplified a single band with DNA from IS3620C, the female parent in a cross with BTx623 that has been used to produce a recombinant inbred population for RFLP mapping. An equivalent band was amplified from all 137 recombinant inbred progeny, indicating that organelle DNA is the amplification target in this cross. Received: 31 July 1998 / Accepted: 23 November 1998     

Identification of the BrRHP1 locus that confers resistance to downy mildew in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) and development of linked molecular markers

Inheritance of resistance to downy mildew (Hyaloperonospora parasitica) in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) was studied using inbred parental lines RS1 and SS1 that display strong resistance and severe susceptibility, respectively. F(1), F(2), and BC(1)F(1) populations were evaluated for their responses to downy mildew infection. Resistance to downy mildew was conditioned by a single dominant locus designated BrRHP1. A random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker linked to BrRHP1 was identified using bulked segregant analysis and two molecular markers designated BrPERK15A and BrPERK15B were developed. BrPERK15B was polymorphic between the parental lines used to construct the reference linkage map of B. rapa, allowing the mapping of the BrRHP1 locus to the A1 linkage group. Using bacterial artificial chromosome clone sequences anchored to the A1 linkage group, six simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers were developed for use in marker-assisted breeding of downy mildew resistance in Chinese cabbage. Four simple PCR markers flanking the BrRHP1 locus were shown to be collinear with the long-arm region of Arabidopsis chromosome 3. The two closely linked flanking markers delimit the BrRHP1 locus within a 2.2-Mb interval of this Arabidopsis syntenic region.     

Genetic mapping and localization of a major QTL for seedling resistance to downy mildew in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis)

Downy mildew caused by the fungus Peronospora parisitica is a serious threat to members of the Brassicaceae family. Annually, a substantial loss of yield is caused by the widespread presence of this disease in warm and humid climates. The aim of this study was to localize the genetic factors affecting downy mildew resistance in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis). To achieve this goal, we improved a preexisting genetic map of a doubled-haploid population derived from a cross between two diverse Chinese cabbage lines, 91-112 and T12-19, via microspore culture. Microsatellite simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, isozyme markers, sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers, sequence-characterized amplified region markers and sequence-tagged-site markers were integrated into the previously published map to construct a composite Chinese cabbage map. In this way, the identities of linkage groups corresponding to the Brassica A genome reference map were established. The new map contains 519 markers and covers a total length of 1,070 cM, with an average distance between markers of 2.06 cM. All markers were designated as A1–A10 through alignment and orientation using 55 markers anchored to previously published B. rapa or B. napus reference maps. Of the 89 SSR markers mapped, 15 were newly developed from express sequence tags in Genbank. The phenotypic assay indicated that a single major gene controls seedling resistance to downy mildew, and that a major QTL was detected on linkage group A8 by both interval and MQM mapping methods. The RAPD marker K14-1030 and isozyme marker PGM flanked this major QTL in a region spanning 2.9 cM, and the SSR marker Ol12G04 was linked to this QTL by a distance of 4.36 cM. This study identified a potential chromosomal segment and tightly linked markers for use in marker-assisted selection to improve downy mildew resistance in Chinese cabbage.     

Identification of restriction fragment length polymorphism and random amplified polymorphic DNA markers linked to downy mildew resistance genes in lettuce, using near-isogenic lines.

Near-isogenic lines were used to identify restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to genes for resistance to downy mildew (Dm) in lettuce. Two pairs of near-isogenic lines that differed for Dm1 plus Dm3 and one pair of near-isogenic lines that differed for Dm11 were used as sources of DNA. Over 500 cDNAs and 212 arbitrary 10-mer oligonucleotide primers were screened for their ability to detect polymorphism between the near-isogenic lines. Four RFLP markers and four RAPD markers were identified as linked to the Dm1 and Dm3 region. Dm1 and Dm3 are members of a cluster of seven Dm genes. Marker CL922 was absolutely linked to Dm15 and Dm16, which are part of this cluster. Six RAPD markers were identified as linked to the Dm11 region. The use of RAPD markers allowed us to increase the density of markers in the two Dm regions in a short time. These regions were previously only sparsely populated with RFLP markers. The rapid screening and identification of tightly linked markers to the target genes demonstrated the potential of RAPD markers for saturating genetic maps.     

Candidate disease resistance genes in sunflower cloned using conserved nucleotide-binding site motifs: genetic mapping and linkage to the downy mildew resistance gene Pl1.

Disease resistance gene candidates (RGCs) belonging to the nucleotide-binding site (NBS) superfamily have been cloned from numerous crop plants using highly conserved DNA sequence motifs. The aims of this research were to (i) isolate genomic DNA clones for RGCs in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and (ii) map RGC markers and Pl1, a gene for resistance to downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. & de Toni) race 1. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers targeted to conserved NBS DNA sequence motifs were used to amplify RGC fragments from sunflower genomic DNA. PCR products were cloned, sequenced, and assigned to 11 groups. RFLP analyses mapped six RGC loci to three linkage groups. One of the RGCs (Ha-4W2) was linked to Pl1, a downy mildew resistance gene. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker was developed for Ha-4W2 using gene-specific oligonucleotide primers. Downy mildew susceptible lines (HA89 and HA372) lacked a 276-bp Tsp5091 restriction fragment that was present in downy mildew resistant lines (HA370, 335, 336, 337, 338, and 339). HA370 x HA372 F2 progeny were genotyped for the Ha-4W2 CAPS marker and phenotyped for resistance to downy mildew race 1. The CAPS marker was linked to but did not completely cosegregate with Pl1 on linkage group 8. Ha-4W2 was found to comprise a gene family with at least five members. Although genetic markers for Ha-4W2 have utility for marker-assisted selection, the RGC detected by the CAPS marker has been ruled out as a candidate gene for Pl1. Three of the RGC probes were monomorphic between HA370 and HA372 and still need to be mapped and screened for linkage to disease resistance loci.     

Random-amplified-polymorphic DNA markers in sorghum

Conditions have been identified that allow reproducible amplification of RAPD markers in sorghum. High resolution of RAPD markers was accomplished by radiolabeling PCR-amplified DNAs followed by separation on denaturing 5% polyacrylamide gels. Reaction parameters including MgCl₂ concentration and temperature significantly influenced yield and the type of amplification products synthesized. Unexplained amplified DNAs increased when more than 35 cycles of PCR amplification were used. Under standard conditions, approximately 80% of the primers tested amplified DNA, and most revealed 1–5 polymorphisms between BTx 623 and IS 3620C. Primers were used to amplify RAPDs in 32 genotypes of sorghum. In addition, 8 primers detected RAPDs in a population previously used to create an RFLP map for sorghum. These RAPDs were mapped successfully using a population of 50 F₂ plants.     

A RFLP linkage map of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

A RFLP linkage map of sorghum composed principally of markers detected with sorghum low-copy-number nuclear DNA clones has been constructed. The map spans 1789 cMs and consists of 190 loci grouped into 14 linkage groups. The 10 largest linkage groups consist of from 10 to 24 markers and from 103 to 237 cMs, and the other 4 linkage groups consist of from 2 to 5 markers and from 7 to 62 cMs. The map was derived in Sorghum bicolor ssp. bicolor by analysis of a F₂ population composed of 50 plants derived from a cross of IS 3620C, a guinea line, and BTx 623, an agronomically important inbred line derived from a cross between a zera zera (a caudatum-like sorghum) and an established kafir line. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) frequency detected in this population using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplifiable low-copy-number sorghum clones and five restriction enzymes was 51%. A minimal estimate of the number of clones that detect duplicate sequences is 11 %. Null alleles occurred at 13% of the mapped RFLP loci.     

Association of RGA-SSCP markers with resistance to downy mildew and anthracnose in grapevines

Downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and anthracnose (Sphaceloma ampelinum) are two major diseases that severely affect most grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cultivars grown commercially in Thailand. Progress of conventional breeding programs of grapevine for improved resistance to these diseases can be speeded up by selection of molecular markers associated with resistance traits. We evaluated the association between 13 resistance gene analog (RGA)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) markers with resistance to downy mildew and anthracnose in 71 segregating progenies of seven cross combinations between susceptible cultivars and resistant lines. F(1) hybrids from each cross were assessed for resistance to downy mildew and anthracnose (isolates Nk4-1 and Rc2-1) under laboratory conditions. Association of resistance traits with RGA-SSCP markers was evaluated using simple linear regression analysis. Three RGA-SSCP markers were found to be significantly correlated with anthracnose resistance, whereas significant correlation with downy mildew resistance was observed for only one RGA-SSCP marker. These results demonstrate the usefulness of RGA-SSCP markers. Four candidate markers with significant associations to resistance to these two major diseases of grapevine were identified. However, these putative associations between markers and resistance need to be verified with larger segregating populations before they can be used for marker-assisted selection.     

RAPD based DNA markers linked to anthracnose disease resistance in Sorghum bicolor ( L.) Moench

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum graminicola is one of the major diseases of sorghum. The locus for disease resistance in sorghum [Sorghum biocolor (L.) Moench] accession G73 was found to segregate as a simple recessive trait in a cross to susceptible cultivar HC136. In order to identify molecular markers linked to the locus for disease resistance, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was coupled with bulk segregant analysis. DNA from the parental cultivars and the bulks were, screened by PCR amplification with 114 RAPD primers. Three RAPD primers amplified a sequence that consegregated with the recessive resistance allele, while another three amplified a band linked to the susceptible allele. The six disease linked markers were screened with individual resistant and susceptible genotypes to observe degree of linkage of identified RAPD markers with the gene for resistance. Two primer sequences (OPI 16 and OPD 12) were found to be closely linked to the locus for disease resistance.     

The genetics of resistance to five races of downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii) in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

 These studies were undertaken to determine whether downy mildew resistance genes in sunflower were independent as first reported, or linked as suggested by more recent hypotheses. The segregations for downy mildew reaction of 111 F₃ progenies from a cross between a susceptible line and a line with Pl2 were used to locate this gene on the sunflower consensus RFLP linkage map. It was shown that Pl2 was linked to the same RFLP markers on linkage group 1 as Pl1 and Pl6, mapped earlier, and at a very similar distance. The F₃ progenies showed exactly the same segregation patterns when tested with race 1 and race D. One hundred and fifty four progenies from a cross between a susceptible line and HA335, containing Pl6 (considered as giving resistance to all Plasmopara halstedii races), were tested with the five French downy mildew races, 1, A, B, C and D. Two progenies were observed to show segregation for races 1 and D, while appearing homozygous-resistant to races A , B and C. Tests on F₄ progenies confirmed this separation of resistances with fixation of susceptibility to races 1 and D and resistance to races A, B and C. It is concluded that the Pl6 gene is not a “strong” gene, giving resistance to all downy mildew races, but rather a cluster of genes, each providing resistance to one, or a few, downy mildew races. The genes giving resistance to races 1 and D, on one hand, and to races A, B and C, on the other hand, must be very closely linked, with about 0.6 cM between the two groups. Received: 23 December 1996 / Accepted: 18 April 1997     

Identification of a second linkage group carrying genes controlling resistance to downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii) in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A sunflower line, XRQ, carrying the gene Pl5, which gives resistance to all French downy mildew races shows cotyledon-limited sporulation in seedling immersion tests; consequently, segregations in crosses with other downy mildew resistance sources were tested both by this method and by a secondary infection on leaves. Pl5 was found to segregate independently of Pl7 (HA338) but to be closely linked, or allelic, with Pl8 (RHA340). F₃ and F₄ progenies from a cross with a line containing Pl2 showed that Pl5 carries resistance to race 100 which segregates independently of Pl2. The Pl5 gene was mapped on linkage group 6 of the Cartisol RFLP map, linked to two RFLP markers, ten AFLP markers and the restorer gene Rf1. Tests with downy mildew race 330 distinguished Pl5 and Pl8, the first being susceptible, the second resistant, whereas both these genes were active against race 304 to which Pl6 (HA335) and Pl7 gave susceptibility. It is concluded that Pl5 and Pl8 are closely linked on linkage group 6 and form a separate resistance gene group from Pl6/Pl7 on linkage group 1. The origins of these groups of downy mildew resistance genes and their use in breeding are discussed. Received: 10 November 2000 / Accepted: 8 February 2001     

A Genetic Map of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) with Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, Isozyme, Disease Resistance and Morphological Markers

A detailed linkage map of lettuce was constructed using 53 genetic markers including 41 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) loci, five downy mildew resistance genes, four isozyme loci and three morphological markers. The genetic markers were distributed into nine linkage groups and cover 404 cM which may be 25-30% of the lettuce genome. The majority (31 of 34) of the RFLP probes detected single segregating loci, although seven of these may have been homologous to further monomorphic loci. When several loci were detected by a single probe, the loci were generally linked, suggesting tandem duplications. One probe, however, detected loci in three linkage groups suggesting translocations. The five downy mildew resistance genes (Dm1, Dm3, Dm4, Dm5/8 and Dm13), segregating in the Calmar x Kordaat cross, represented each of the four resistance gene linkage groups. Dm5/8 is flanked by two cDNA loci, each located 10 cM away. These flanking markers will be used to study the source of variation in downy mildew genes and are also part our strategy to clone resistance genes.     

Mapping of a locus for adult plant resistance to downy mildew in broccoli (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> convar. <Emphasis Type="Italic">italica</Emphasis>)

The identification of the gene Pp523, conferring downy mildew resistance to adult plants of broccoli (Brassica oleracea convar. italica), led to the construction of a genetic map that included this resistance locus, 301 amplified fragment length polymorphisms, 55 random amplified polymorphic DNAs, 46 inter-simple sequence repeats, three simple sequence repeats, four other PCR markers and a flower colour locus, all gathered into nine major linkage groups. Nineteen additional molecular markers were clustered into one group of four markers, one group of three markers and six pairs of markers. The map spans over 731.9 cM, corresponding to 89.5% of the 818 cM estimated to be the total genome length. A significant number of the mapped markers, 19.3%, showed distorted segregation. The average distance between mapped adjacent markers is 1.64 cM, which places this map among the densest published to date for this species. Using bulked segregant analysis, we identified a group of molecular markers flanking and closely linked in coupling to the resistance gene and included these in the map. Two markers linked in coupling, OPK17_980 and AT.CTA_133/134, are located at 3.1 cM and 3.6 cM, respectively, at each side from the resistance gene. These markers can be used for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs aiming at the introgression of this gene in susceptible B. oleracea genotypes. The fine mapping of the genomic region surrounding the Pp523 resistance gene is currently being carried out, a basic condition for its isolation via positional cloning.     

Molecular mapping of the Pl 16 downy mildew resistance gene from HA-R4 to facilitate marker-assisted selection in sunflower

The major genes controlling sunflower downy mildew resistance have been designated as Pl genes. Ten of the more than 20 Pl genes reported have been mapped. In this study, we report the molecular mapping of gene Pl(16) in a sunflower downy mildew differential line, HA-R4. It was mapped on the lower end of linkage group (LG) 1 of the sunflower reference map, with 12 markers covering a distance of 78.9 cM. One dominant simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker, ORS1008, co-segregated with Pl(16), and another co-dominant expressed sequence tag (EST)-SSR marker, HT636, was located 0.3 cM proximal to the Pl(16) gene. The HT636 marker was also closely linked to the Pl(13) gene in another sunflower differential line, HA-R5. Thus the Pl(16) and Pl(13) genes were mapped to a similar position on LG 1 that is different from the previously reported Pl(14) gene. When the co-segregating and tightly linked markers for the Pl(16) gene were applied to other germplasms or hybrids, a unique band pattern for the ORS1008 marker was detected in HA-R4 and HA-R5 and their F(1) hybrids. This is the first report to provide two tightly linked markers for both the Pl(16) and Pl(13) genes, which will facilitate marker-assisted selection in sunflower resistance breeding, and provide a basis for the cloning of these genes.     

黄瓜霜霉病抗病基因的RAPD及SCAR标记

以感霜霉病黄瓜L18-10-2和抗霜霉病黄瓜129为亲本构建F2代分离群体,以F3代植株霜霉病抗性鉴定表示F2代各单株抗病性并得以区分各单株杂合或纯合感病性,采用RAPD技术和转SCAR的方法筛选黄瓜抗霜霉病基因分子标记.结果显示,在318条RAPD引物中有18条引物表现出两亲本间多态性,其中引物P18的SB-SP18561扩增片段与霜霉病抗病基因之间紧密连锁,根据交换率和Kosambi函数公式计算其遗传距离为7.85 cM.回收SBSP18561片段并克隆和测序,其准确长度为561 bp.将该RAPD标记转换为SCAR标记,长度为494 bp,命名为SSBSP18494.