Mapping of stripe rust resistance gene in an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops caudata</Emphasis> introgression line in wheat and its genetic association with leaf rust resistance

A pair of stripe rust and leaf rust resistance genes was introgressed from Aegilops caudata, a nonprogenitor diploid species with the CC genome, to cultivated wheat. Inheritance and genetic mapping of stripe rust resistance gene in backcross-recombinant inbred line (BC-RIL) population derived from the cross of a wheat–Ae. caudata introgression line (IL) T291-2(pau16060) with wheat cv. PBW343 is reported here. Segregation of BC-RILs for stripe rust resistance depicted a single major gene conditioning adult plant resistance (APR) with stripe rust reaction varying from TR-20MS in resistant RILs signifying the presence of some minor genes as well. Genetic association with leaf rust resistance revealed that two genes are located at a recombination distance of 13%. IL T291-2 had earlier been reported to carry introgressions on wheat chromosomes 2D, 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D and 7D. Genetic mapping indicated the introgression of stripe rust resistance gene on wheat chromosome 5DS in the region carrying leaf rust resistance gene LrAc, but as an independent introgression. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) and sequence-tagged site (STS) markers designed from the survey sequence data of 5DS enriched the target region harbouring stripe and leaf rust resistance genes. Stripe rust resistance locus, temporarily designated as YrAc, mapped at the distal most end of 5DS linked with a group of four colocated SSRs and two resistance gene analogue (RGA)-STS markers at a distance of 5.3 cM. LrAc mapped at a distance of 9.0 cM from the YrAc and at 2.8 cM from RGA-STS marker Ta5DS_2737450, YrAc and LrAc appear to be the candidate genes for marker-assisted enrichment of the wheat gene pool for rust resistance.     

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.     

Introgression molecular analysis of a leaf rust resistance gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea liberica</Emphasis> into <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. arabica</Emphasis> L.

Leaf rust caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix is the most devastating disease of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica). Therefore, developing leaf rust-resistant varieties has been a breeding objective of the highest priority in many countries. The purpose of the present work was to gain insight into the mechanism of introgression into C. arabica of a leaf rust resistance gene from C. liberica (i.e. S_H3 resistance factor) and to identify associated molecular markers. An F₂ progeny (i.e. 101 individuals) derived from a cross between Matari, an arabica accession and liberica-introgressed line S.288, was evaluated for resistance against three different races of H. vastatrix. The progeny segregated for the S_H3 gene in a 3:1 ratio, as expected for a single dominant gene. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis of a population subset using 80 different primer combinations revealed that at least half of the total polymorphism observed in the population is associated with introgression of C. liberica chromosome fragments. Furthermore, 15 primer combinations generating candidate marker bands associated with the S_H3 resistance gene were used to analyse the whole F₂ population. A total of 34 marker bands originating from S.288 and attributable to introgression were scored. None exhibited segregation distortion. Linkage analysis revealed only three distinct introgressed fragments corresponding to a total length of 52.8 cM. Twenty-one markers were strongly associated (LOD score >14) with the S_H3 gene and were grouped together in a single linkage group of 6.3 cM. The results are discussed in relation to the efficient use of genetic resources in arabica breeding.     

Identification and genetic characterization of an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops tauschii</Emphasis> ortholog of the wheat leaf rust disease resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr1</Emphasis>

Aegilops tauschii (goat grass) is the progenitor of the D genome in hexaploid bread wheat. We have screened more than 200 Ae. tauschii accessions for resistance against leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) isolates, which are avirulent on the leaf rust resistance gene Lr1. Approximately 3.5% of the Ae. tauschii accessions displayed the same low infection type as the tester line Thatcher Lr1. The accession Tr.t. 213, which showed resistance after artificial infection with Lr1 isolates both in Mexico and in Switzerland, was chosen for further analysis. Genetic analysis showed that the resistance in this accession is controlled by a single dominant gene, which mapped at the same chromosomal position as Lr1 in wheat. It was delimited in a 1.3-cM region between the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers ABC718 and PSR567 on chromosome 5DL of Ae. tauschii. The gene was more tightly linked to PSR567 (0.47 cM) than to ABC718 (0.79 cM). These results indicate that the resistance gene in Ae. tauschii accession Tr.t. 213 is an ortholog of the leaf rust resistance gene Lr1 of bread wheat, suggesting that Lr1 originally evolved in diploid goat grass and was introgressed into the wheat D genome during or after domestication of hexaploid wheat. Compared to hexaploid wheat, higher marker polymorphism and recombination frequencies were observed in the region of the Lr1 ortholog in Ae. tauschii. The identification of Lr1^Ae, the orthologous gene of wheat Lr1, in Ae. tauschii will allow map-based cloning of Lr1 from this genetically simpler, diploid genome.Hong-Qing Ling and Jiwen Qiu have contributed equally to this work     

Characterization and mapping of cryptic alien introgression from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops geniculata</Emphasis> with new leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr57</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yr40</Emphasis> in wheat

Leaf rust and stripe rust are important foliar diseases of wheat worldwide. Leaf rust and stripe rust resistant introgression lines were developed by induced homoeologous chromosome pairing between wheat chromosome 5D and 5M^g of Aegilops geniculata (U^gM^g). Characterization of rust resistant BC₂F₅ and BC₃F₆ homozygous progenies using genomic in situ hybridization with Aegilops comosa (M) DNA as probe identified three different types of introgressions; two cytologically visible and one invisible (termed cryptic alien introgression). All three types of introgression lines showed similar and complete resistance to the most prevalent pathotypes of leaf rust and stripe rust in Kansas (USA) and Punjab (India). Diagnostic polymorphisms between the alien segment and recipient parent were identified using physically mapped RFLP probes. Molecular mapping revealed that cryptic alien introgression conferring resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust comprised less than 5% of the 5DS arm and was designated T5DL·5DS-5M^gS(0.95). Genetic mapping with an F₂ population of Wichita × T5DL·5DS-5M^gS(0.95) demonstrated the monogenic and dominant inheritance of resistance to both diseases. Two diagnostic RFLP markers, previously mapped on chromosome arm 5DS, co-segregated with the rust resistance in the F₂ population. The unique map location of the resistant introgression on chromosome T5DL·5DS-5M^gS(0.95) suggested that the leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes were new and were designated Lr57 and Yr40. This is the first documentation of a successful transfer and characterization of cryptic alien introgression from Ae. geniculata conferring resistance to both leaf rust and stripe rust in wheat.     

Introgression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops mutica</Emphasis> genes into common wheat genome

Introgression of genetic material from wheat wild relatives into the common wheat genome remains important. This is a natural and inexhaustible source of enrichment of the wheat gene pool with genes that improve wheat’s adaptive potential. Hexaploid lines F₄–F₅ of wheat type were developed via hybridization of common wheat Aurora (AABBDD) and genome-substituted amphidiploid Aurotica (AABBTT). The hexaploid genome of the latter includes the diploid genome TT from wheat relative Aegilops mutica instead of subgenome DD of common wheat. F₁–F₃ hybrids had limited self-fertility, which had substantially increased for some derivatives in F₄–F₅. For all generations, development of the lines was accompanied by cytogenetic control of the chromosome numbers. The chromosome numbers varied in general from 33 to 46 depending upon generation. In most descendants, that number was 42 chromosomes in F₄ when plants with chromosome numbers 40–44 were selected in each generation. F₅ lines originate from nine selffertile F₂ plants, differ from Aurora according to some morphological characters, and have alien DNA in their genome as was demonstrated by DNA dot-blot hybridization with genomic DNA of Aegilops mutica as a probe.     

Genetic mapping of a barley leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rph26</Emphasis> introgressed from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum bulbosum</Emphasis>

Key message

The quantitative barley leaf rust resistance gene, Rph26, was fine mapped within a H. bulbosum introgression on barley chromosome 1HL. This provides the tools for pyramiding with other resistance genes.

Abstract

A novel quantitative resistance gene, Rph26, effective against barley leaf rust (Puccinia hordei) was introgressed from Hordeum bulbosum into the barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivar ‘Emir’. The effect of Rph26 was to reduce the observed symptoms of leaf rust infection (uredinium number and infection type). In addition, this resistance also increased the fungal latency period and reduced the fungal biomass within infected leaves. The resulting introgression line 200A12, containing Rph26, was backcrossed to its barley parental cultivar ‘Emir’ to create an F₂ population focused on detecting interspecific recombination within the introgressed segment. A total of 1368 individuals from this F₂ population were genotyped with flanking markers at either end of the 1HL introgression, resulting in the identification of 19 genotypes, which had undergone interspecific recombination within the original introgression. F₃ seeds that were homozygous for the introgressions of reduced size were selected from each F₂ recombinant and were used for subsequent genotyping and phenotyping. Rph26 was genetically mapped to the proximal end of the introgressed segment located at the distal end of chromosome 1HL. Molecular markers closely linked to Rph26 were identified and will enable this disease resistance gene to be combined with other sources of quantitative resistance to maximize the effectiveness and durability of leaf rust resistance in barley breeding. Heterozygous genotypes containing a single copy of Rph26 had an intermediate phenotype when compared with the homozygous resistant and susceptible genotypes, indicating an incompletely dominant inheritance.

     

Molecular mapping of leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rph14</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum vulgare</Emphasis>

An incompletely dominant gene conferring resistance to Puccinia hordei, Rph14, identified previously in an accession of Hordeum vulgare, confers resistance to all known pathotypes of P. hordei in Australia. Knowledge of the chromosomal location of Rph14 and the identification of DNA markers closely linked to it will facilitate combining it with other important leaf rust resistance genes to achieve long lasting resistance. The inheritance of Rph14 was confirmed using 146 and 106 F₃ lines derived from the crosses ‘Baudin’/‘PI 584760’ (Rph14) and ‘Ricardo’/‘PI 584760’ (Rph14), respectively. Bulk segregant analysis on DNA from the parental genotypes and resistant and susceptible DNA bulks using DArT markers located Rph14 to the short arm of chromosome 2H. DArT marker bPb-1664 was identified as having the closest genetic association with Rph14. PCR based marker analysis identified a single SSR marker, Bmag692, linked closely to Rph14 at a map distance of 2.1 and 3.8 cm in the ‘Baudin’/‘PI 584760’and ‘Ricardo’/‘PI 584760’ populations, respectively.     

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.     

Characterisation of a new stripe rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yr47</Emphasis> and its genetic association with the leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr52</Emphasis>

Two Iranian common wheat landraces AUS28183 and AUS28187 from the Watkins collection showed high levels of seedling resistance against Australian pathotypes of leaf rust and stripe rust pathogens. Chi-squared analyses of rust response segregation among F₃ populations derived from crosses of AUS28183 and AUS28187 with a susceptible genotype AUS27229 revealed monogenic inheritance of leaf rust and stripe rust resistance. As both genotypes produced similar leaf rust and stripe rust infection types, they were assumed to carry the same genes. The genes were temporarily named as LrW1 and YrW1. Molecular mapping placed LrW1 and YrW1 in the short arm of chromosome 5B, about 10 and 15 cM proximal to the SSR marker gwm234, respectively, and the marker cfb309 mapped 8–12 cM proximal to YrW1. LrW1 mapped 3–6 cM distal to YrW1 in two F₃ populations. AUS28183 corresponded to the accession V336 of the Watkins collection which was the original source of Lr52. Based on the genomic location and accession records, LrW1 was concluded to be Lr52. Because no other seedling stripe rust resistance gene has previously been mapped in chromosome 5BS, YrW1 was permanently named as Yr47. A combination of flanking markers gwm234 and cfb309 with phenotypic assays could be used to ascertain the presence of Lr52 and Yr47 in segregating populations. This investigation characterised a valuable source of dual leaf rust and stripe rust resistance for deployment in new wheat cultivars. Transfer of Lr52 and Yr47 into current Australian wheat backgrounds is in progress.     

Microsatellite mapping of adult-plant leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr22a</Emphasis> in wheat

This study was conducted to identify microsatellite markers (SSR) linked to the adult-plant leaf rust resistance gene Lr22a and examine their cross-applicability for marker-assisted selection in different genetic backgrounds. Lr22a was previously introgressed from Aegilops tauschii Coss. to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and located to chromosome 2DS. Comparing SSR alleles from the donor of Lr22a to two backcross lines and their recurrent parents showed that between two and five SSR markers were co-introgressed with Lr22a and the size range of the Ae. tauschii introgression was 9–20 cM. An F₂ population from the cross of 98B34-T4B × 98B26-N1C01 confirmed linkage between the introgressed markers and Lr22a on chromosome 2DS. The closest marker, GWM296, was 2.9 cM from Lr22a. One hundred and eighteen cultivars and breeding lines of different geographical origins were tested with GWM296. In total 14 alleles were amplified, however, only those lines predicted or known to carry Lr22a had the unique Ae. tauschii allele at GWM296 with fragments of 121 and 131 bp. Thus, GWM296 is useful for selecting Lr22a in diverse genetic backgrounds. Genotypes carrying Lr22a showed strong resistance to leaf rust in the field from 2002 to 2006. Lr22a is an ideal candidate to be included in a stack of leaf rust resistance genes because of its strong adult-plant resistance, low frequency of commercial deployment, and the availability of a unique marker. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Microsatellite mapping of adult-plant leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr22a</Emphasis> in wheat

This study was conducted to identify microsatellite markers (SSR) linked to the adult-plant leaf rust resistance gene Lr22a and examine their cross-applicability for marker-assisted selection in different genetic backgrounds. Lr22a was previously introgressed from Aegilops tauschii Coss. to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and located to chromosome 2DS. Comparing SSR alleles from the donor of Lr22a to two backcross lines and their recurrent parents showed that between two and five SSR markers were co-introgressed with Lr22a and the size range of the Ae. tauschii introgression was 9-20 cM. An F(2) population from the cross of 98B34-T4B x 98B26-N1C01 confirmed linkage between the introgressed markers and Lr22a on chromosome 2DS. The closest marker, GWM296, was 2.9 cM from Lr22a. One hundred and eighteen cultivars and breeding lines of different geographical origins were tested with GWM296. In total 14 alleles were amplified, however, only those lines predicted or known to carry Lr22a had the unique Ae. tauschii allele at GWM296 with fragments of 121 and 131 bp. Thus, GWM296 is useful for selecting Lr22a in diverse genetic backgrounds. Genotypes carrying Lr22a showed strong resistance to leaf rust in the field from 2002 to 2006. Lr22a is an ideal candidate to be included in a stack of leaf rust resistance genes because of its strong adult-plant resistance, low frequency of commercial deployment, and the availability of a unique marker.     

Molecular markers for adult plant leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr48</Emphasis> in wheat

Leaf rust of wheat, caused by Puccinia triticina, is an important disease throughout the world. The adult plant leaf rust resistance gene Lr48 reported in CSP44 was previously mapped in chromosome 2B, but the marker–gene association was weak. In this study, we confirmed the location of Lr48 to be in the short arm of chromosome 2B and identified closely linked markers suitable for use in breeding. The CSP44/WL711 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (90 lines) showed monogenic segregation for Lr48. Twelve resistant and 12 susceptible RILs were used for selective genotyping using an iSelect 90K Infinium SNP assay. Closely linked SNPs were converted into Kompetitive allele-specific primers (KASP) and tested on the parental lines. KASP markers giving clear clusters for alternate genotypes were assayed on the entire RIL population. SNP markers IWB31002, IWB39832, IWB34324, IWB72894 and IWB36920 co-segregated with Lr48 and the marker IWB70147 was mapped 0.3 cM proximal to this gene. Closely linked KASP markers were tested on a set of Australian and Nordic wheat genotypes. The amplification of SNP alleles alternate to those linked with Lr48 in the majority of the Australian and Nordic wheat genotypes demonstrated the usefulness of these markers for marker-assisted pyramiding of Lr48 with other rust resistance genes.     

A novel Robertsonian translocation event leads to transfer of a stem rust resistance gene (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sr52</Emphasis>) effective against race Ug99 from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dasypyrum</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">villosum</Emphasis> into bread wheat

Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn.) (the causal agent of wheat stem rust) race Ug99 (also designated TTKSK) and its derivatives have defeated several important stem rust resistance genes widely used in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production, rendering much of the worldwide wheat acreage susceptible. In order to identify new resistance sources, a large collection of wheat relatives and genetic stocks maintained at the Wheat Genetic and Genomic Resources Center was screened. The results revealed that most accessions of the diploid relative Dasypyrum villosum (L.) Candargy were highly resistant. The screening of a set of wheat–D. villosum chromosome addition lines revealed that the wheat–D. villosum disomic addition line DA6V#3 was moderately resistant to race Ug99. The objective of the present study was to produce and characterize compensating wheat–D. villosum whole arm Robertsonian translocations (RobTs) involving chromosomes 6D of wheat and 6V#3 of D. villosum through the mechanism of centric breakage-fusion. Seven 6V#3-specific EST–STS markers were developed for screening F₂ progeny derived from plants double-monosomic for chromosomes 6D and 6V#3. Surprisingly, although 6D was the target chromosome, all recovered RobTs involved chromosome 6A implying a novel mechanism for the origin of RobTs. Homozygous translocations (T6AS·6V#3L and T6AL·6V#3S) with good plant vigor and full fertility were selected from F₃ families. A stem rust resistance gene was mapped to the long arm 6V#3L in T6AS·6V#3L and was designated as Sr52. Sr52 is temperature-sensitive and is most effective at 16°C, partially effective at 24°C, and ineffective at 28°C. The T6AS·6V#3L stock is a new source of resistance to Ug99, is cytogenetically stable, and may be useful in wheat improvement.     

Cereal cyst nematode resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">CreV</Emphasis> effective against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heterodera filipjevi</Emphasis> transferred from chromosome 6VL of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dasypyrum villosum</Emphasis> to bread wheat

Cereal cyst nematodes (CCN) are a global economic problem for cereal production. Heterodera filipjevi is one of the most commonly identified and widespread CCN species found in many wheat production regions of the world. Transferring novel genes for resistance to H. filipjevi from wild relatives of wheat is a promising strategy for protection of wheat crops. A set of wheat–Dasypyrum villosum chromosome addition lines, T6V#4S·6AL translocation lines and their donor parental lines were tested for their response to the nematode. D. villosum and wheat–D. villosum disomic addition line DA6V#4 were resistant. As T6V#4S·6AL translocation lines were susceptible, resistance was presumed to be located on chromosome 6V#4L. The objective of this study was to produce and characterize wheat–6V#4L translocations and confirm the chromosome location of the resistance. Introgression lines T6V#4L·6AS, T6V#4L-4BL·4BS and DT6V#4L were developed and subjected to molecular cytogenetic analysis. These and four additional wheat–6V#4 introgression lines were tested for response to H. filipjevi in the greenhouse. The results indicated that introgression lines DA6V#4, T6V#4L·6AS, T6V#4L-4BL·4BS, T6V#4L·6V#4S-7BS and DT6VL#4 had higher levels of H. filipjevi resistance than their recurrent parent. However, Del6V#4L-1 and translocation line T6V#4S·6AL were equally susceptible to wheat cv. Chinese Spring. The CCN resistance gene, temporarily named CreV, was therefore physically mapped to chromosome arm 6V#4L FL 0.80–1.00. Translocation chromosomes T6V#4L·6AS transferred to a modern wheat cv. Aikang 58 with its co-dominant molecular markers could be utilized as a novel germplasm for CCN resistance breeding in wheat.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr75</Emphasis>: a partial,broad-spectrum leaf rust resistance gene in wheat

Key message

Here, we describe a strategy to improve broad-spectrum leaf rust resistance by marker-assisted combination of two partial resistance genes. One of them represents a novel partial adult plant resistance gene, named Lr75.

Abstract

Leaf rust caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia triticina is a damaging disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The combination of several, additively-acting partial disease resistance genes has been proposed as a suitable strategy to breed wheat cultivars with high levels of durable field resistance. The Swiss winter wheat cultivar ‘Forno’ continues to show near-immunity to leaf rust since its release in the 1980s. This resistance is conferred by the presence of at least six quantitative trait loci (QTL), one of which is associated with the morphological trait leaf tip necrosis. Here, we used a marker-informed strategy to introgress two ‘Forno’ QTLs into the leaf rust-susceptible Swiss winter wheat cultivar ‘Arina’. The resulting backcross line ‘ArinaLrFor’ showed markedly increased leaf rust resistance in multiple locations over several years. One of the introgressed QTLs, QLr.sfr-1BS, is located on chromosome 1BS. We developed chromosome 1B-specific microsatellite markers by exploiting the Illumina survey sequences of wheat cv. ‘Chinese Spring’ and mapped QLr.sfr-1BS to a 4.3 cM interval flanked by the SSR markers gwm604 and swm271. QLr.sfr-1BS does not share a genetic location with any of the described leaf rust resistance genes present on chromosome 1B. Therefore, QLr.sfr-1BS is novel and was designated as Lr75. We conclude that marker-assisted combination of partial resistance genes is a feasible strategy to increase broad-spectrum leaf rust resistance. The identification of Lr75 adds a novel and highly useful gene to the small set of known partial, adult plant leaf rust resistance genes.

     

Molecular mapping of stripe rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">YrHu</Emphasis> derived from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psathyrostachys huashanica</Emphasis>

Wheat stripe rust is a destructive disease that affects most wheat-growing areas worldwide. Resistance genes from related species and genera add to the genetic diversity available to wheat breeding programs. The stripe rust-resistant introgression line H9020-17-25-6-4 was developed from a cross of resistant Psathyrostachys huashanica with the susceptible wheat cultivar 7182. H9020-17-25-6-4 is resistant to all existing Chinese stripe rust races, including the three most widely virulent races, CYR32, CYR33, and V26. We attempted to characterize this new line by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and genetic analysis. GISH using P. huashanica genomic DNA as a probe indicated that the translocated segment was too small to be detected. Genetic analysis involving F₁, F₂, and F_2:3 materials derived from a cross of Mingxian 169 and H9020-17-25-6-4 indicated that a single dominant gene from H9020-17-25-6-4, temporarily designated YrHu, conferred resistance to CYR29 and CYR33. A genetic map consisting of four simple sequence repeat, two sequence-tagged site (STS), and two sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers was constructed. YrHu was located on the short arm of chromosome 3A and was about 0.7 and 1.5 cM proximal to EST-STS markers BG604577 and BE489244, respectively. Both the gene and the closely linked markers could be used in marker-assisted selection.     

Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pm58</Emphasis> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops tauschii</Emphasis>

Key message

A novel powdery mildew-resistance gene, designated Pm58, was introgressed directly from Aegilops tauschii to hexaploid wheat, mapped to chromosome 2DS, and confirmed to be effective under field conditions. Selectable KASP? markers were developed for MAS.

Abstract

Powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis (DC.) f. sp. tritici (Bgt) remains a significant threat to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. The rapid breakdown of race-specific resistance to Bgt reinforces the need to identify novel sources of resistance. The d-genome species, Aegilops tauschii, is an excellent source of disease resistance that is transferrable to T. aestivum. The powdery mildew-resistant Ae. tauschii accession TA1662 (2n?=?2x?=?DD) was crossed directly with the susceptible hard white wheat line KS05HW14 (2n?=?6x?=?AABBDD) followed by backcrossing to develop a population of 96 BC₂F₄ introgression lines (ILs). Genotyping-by-sequencing was used to develop a genome-wide genetic map that was anchored to the Ae. tauschii reference genome. A detached-leaf Bgt assay was used to screen BC₂F_4:6 ILs, and resistance was found to segregate as a single locus (χ?=?2.0, P value?=?0.157). The resistance gene, referred to as Pm58, mapped to chromosome 2DS. Pm58 was evaluated under field conditions in replicated trials in 2015 and 2016. In both years, a single QTL spanning the Pm58 locus was identified that reduced powdery mildew severity and explained 21% of field variation (P value?<?0.01). KASP? assays were developed from closely linked GBS-SNP markers, a refined genetic map was developed, and four markers that cosegregate with Pm58 were identified. This novel source of powdery mildew-resistance and closely linked genetic markers will support efforts to develop wheat varieties with powdery mildew resistance.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr41, Lr39,</Emphasis> and a leaf rust resistance gene from<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Aegilops cylindrica</Emphasis> may be allelic and are located on wheat chromosome 2DS

The leaf rust resistance gene Lr41 in wheat germplasm KS90WGRC10 and a resistance gene in wheat breeding line WX93D246-R-1 were transferred to Triticum aestivum from Aegilops tauschii and Ae. cylindrica, respectively. The leaf rust resistance gene in WX93D246-R-1 was located on wheat chromosome 2D by monosomic analysis. Molecular marker analysis of F₂ plants from non-critical crosses determined that this gene is 11.2 cM distal to marker Xgwm210 on the short arm of 2D. No susceptible plants were detected in a population of 300 F₂ plants from a cross between WX93D246-R-1 and TA 4186 (Lr39), suggesting that the gene in WX93D246-R-1 is the same as, or closely linked to, Lr39. In addition, no susceptible plants were detected in a population of 180 F₂ plants from the cross between KS90WGRC10 and WX93D246-R-1. The resistance gene in KS90WGRC10, Lr41, was previously reported to be located on wheat chromosome 1D. In this study, no genetic association was found between Lr41 and 51 markers located on chromosome 1D. A population of 110 F₃ lines from a cross between KS90WGRC10 and TAM 107 was evaluated with polymorphic SSR markers from chromosome 2D and marker Xgdm35 was found to be 1.9 cM proximal to Lr41. When evaluated with diverse isolates of Puccinia triticina, similar reactions were observed on WX93D246-R-1, KS90WGRC10, and TA 4186. The results of mapping, allelism, and race specificity test indicate that these germplasms likely have the same gene for resistance to leaf rust.Contribution number 03-348-J from the Kansas Agricultural Experimental Station, Manhattan, KansasCommunicated by J. Dvorak