QTL mapping of adult-plant resistance to leaf rust in a RIL population derived from a cross of wheat cultivars Shanghai 3/Catbird and Naxos

Key message

Six QTL for adult plant resistance to leaf rust, including two QTL effective against additional diseases, were identified in a RIL population derived from a cross between Shanghai 3/Catbird and Naxos.

Abstract

Leaf rust is an important wheat disease and utilization of adult-plant resistance (APR) may be the best approach to achieve long-term protection from the disease. The CIMMYT spring wheat line Shanghai 3/Catbird (SHA3/CBRD) showed a high level of APR to Chinese Puccinia triticina pathotypes in the field. To identify APR genes in this line, a mapping population of 164 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from a cross of this line and Naxos, a moderately susceptible German cultivar. The RILs were evaluated for final disease severity (FDS) at Baoding, Hebei province, and Zhoukou, Henan province, in the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 cropping seasons. QTL analysis detected one major QTL derived from SHA3/CBRD on chromosome 2BS explaining from 15 to 37 % of the phenotypic variance across environments. In addition one minor resistance QTL on chromosome 1AL from SHA3/CBRD and four minor QTL from Naxos on chromosomes 2DL, 5B, 7BS, and 7DS were also detected. SHA3/CBRD also possessed seedling resistance gene Lr26, and Naxos contained Lr1 based on gene postulation following tests with an array of P. triticina pathotypes and molecular marker assays. These seedling resistance and APR genes and their closely linked molecular markers are potentially useful for improving leaf rust resistance in wheat breeding programs.     

Partial resistance to powdery mildew in German spring wheat ‘Naxos’ is based on multiple genes with stable effects in diverse environments

Powdery mildew is one of the most important wheat diseases in temperate regions of the world. Resistance breeding is considered to be an economical and environmentally benign way to control this disease. The German spring wheat cv. 'Naxos' exhibits high levels of partial and race non-specific resistance to powdery mildew in the field and is a valuable source in resistance breeding. The main objective of the present study was to map the genetic factors behind the resistance in Naxos, based on a population of recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from a cross with the susceptible CIMMYT breeding line SHA3/CBRD. Powdery mildew severity was evaluated in six field trials in Norway and four field trials in China. The major quantitative trait locus (QTL) with resistance from Naxos was detected close to the Pm3 locus on 1AS in all environments, and explained up to 35% of the phenotypic variation. Naxos was shown to carry another major QTL on 2DL and minor ones on 2BL and 7DS. QTL with resistance from SHA3/CBRD were detected on 1RS, 2DLc, 6BL and 7AL. The QTL on the 1B/1R translocation showed highly variable effects across environments corresponding to known virulence differences against Pm8. SHA3/CBRD was shown to possess the Pm3 haplotype on 1AS, but none of the known Pm3a-g alleles. The RIL population did not provide any evidence to suggest that the Pm3 allele of SHA3/CBRD acted as a suppressor of Pm8.     

Linkage mapping of powdery mildew and greenbug resistance genes on recombinant 1RS from 'Amigo' and 'Kavkaz' wheat-rye translocations of chromosome 1RS.1AL.

Cultivated rye (Secale cereale L., 2n = 2x = 14, RR) is an important source of genes for insect and disease resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6x = 42). Rye chromosome arm 1RS of S. cereale 'Kavkaz' originally found as a 1BL.1RS translocation, carries genes for disease resistance (e.g., Lr26, Sr31, Yr9, and Pm8), while 1RS of the S. cereale 'Amigo' translocation (1RSA) carries a single resistance gene for greenbug (Schizaphis graminum Rondani) biotypes B and C and also carries additional disease-resistance genes. The purpose of this research was to identify individual plants that were recombinant in the homologous region of.1AL.1RSV and 1AL.1RSA using both molecular and phenotypic markers. Secale cereale 'Nekota' (1AL.1RSA) and S. cereale 'Pavon 76' (1AL.1RSV) were mated and the F1 was backcrossed to 'Nekota' (1AL.1AS) to generate eighty BC1F2:3 families (i.e., ('Nekota' 1AL.1RSA x 'Pavon 76' 1AL.1RSV) x 'Nekota' 1AL.1AS). These families were genotyped using the secalin-gliadin grain storage protein banding pattern generated with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to discriminate 1AL.1AS/1AL.1RS heterozygotes from the 1AL.1RSA+V and 1AL.1AS homozygotes. Segregation of the secalin locus and PCR markers based on the R173 family of rye specific repeated DNA sequences demonstrated the presence of recombinant 1AL.1RSA+V families. Powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) and greenbug resistance genes on the recombinant 1RSA+V arm were mapped in relation to the Sec-1 locus, 2 additional protein bands, 3 SSRs, and 13 RFLP markers. The resultant linkage map of 1RS spanned 82.4 cM with marker order and spacing showing reasonable agreement with previous maps of 1RS. Fifteen markers lie within a region of 29.7 cM next to the centromere, yet corresponded to just 36% of the overall map length. The map position of the RFLP marker probe mwg68 was 10.9 cM distal to the Sec-1 locus and 7.8 cM proximal to the powdery mildew resistance locus. The greenbug resistance gene was located 2.7 cM proximal to the Sec-1 locus.     

The adult plant rust resistance loci Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29 are important determinants of partial resistance to powdery mildew in bread wheat line Saar

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici is a major disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that can be controlled by resistance breeding. The CIMMYT bread wheat line Saar is known for its good level of partial and race non-specific resistance, and the aim of this study was to map QTLs for resistance to powdery mildew in a population of 113 recombinant inbred lines from a cross between Saar and the susceptible line Avocet. The population was tested over 2 years in field trials at two locations in southeastern Norway and once in Beijing, China. SSR markers were screened for association with powdery mildew resistance in a bulked segregant analysis, and linkage maps were created based on selected SSR markers and supplemented with DArT genotyping. The most important QTLs for powdery mildew resistance derived from Saar were located on chromosomes 7DS and 1BL and corresponded to the adult plant rust resistance loci Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29. A major QTL was also located on 4BL with resistance contributed by Avocet. Additional QTLs were detected at 3AS and 5AL in the Norwegian testing environments and at 5BS in Beijing. The population was also tested for leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina) and stripe rust (caused by P. striiformis f. sp. tritici) resistance and leaf tip necrosis in Mexico. QTLs for these traits were detected on 7DS and 1BL at the same positions as the QTLs for powdery mildew resistance, and confirmed the presence of Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29 in Saar. The powdery mildew resistance gene at the Lr34/Yr18 locus has recently been named Pm38. The powdery mildew resistance gene at the Lr46/Yr29 locus is designated as Pm39.     

抗白粉病基因PmCH1302的遗传分析及染色体定位

CH1302是以来源于中间偃麦草的八倍体小偃麦TAI7047为桥梁亲本选育的高抗白粉病的小麦新品系,对白粉菌多个流行小种均表现出良好抗性。为了解其抗白粉病基因来源及其在染色体上的位置,对绵阳11×CH1302的F_1、F_2及F_(2∶3)家系进行了遗传分析,推断其抗白粉病基因可能来源于中间偃麦草,暂将其命名为PmCH1302。利用i Select 90K SNP芯片对抗、感病池进行扫描,发现位于2AL染色体上的多态性位点最多,为313个,占全部多态性位点的9.79%,且集中于2AL染色体100~105 c M和150~155 cM两个区域附近。在上述位点选取SSR标记,筛选出3对与Pm CH1302连锁的分子标记,Xwmc522、Xgwm356和Xgwm526,其中Xgwm356和Xgwm526位于Pm CH1302两侧,连锁距离分别为3.1 c M和7.8 cM。利用遗传图谱以及中国春缺体、双端体将PmCH1302定位于小麦2AL染色体上。进一步与位于2AL上的Pm4、Pm50比较发现,PmCH1302可能是位于2AL上的一个新基因或等位基因。     

Microsatellite markers linked to 2 powdery mildew resistance genes introgressed from Triticum carthlicum accession PS5 into common wheat.

Two dominant powdery mildew resistance genes introduced from Triticum carthlicum accession PS5 to common wheat were identified and tagged using microsatellite markers. The gene designated PmPS5A was placed on wheat chromosome 2AL and linked to the microsatellite marker Xgwm356 at a genetic distance of 10.2 cM. Based on the information of its origin, chromosome location, and reactions to 5 powdery mildew isolates, this gene could be a member of the complex Pm4 locus. The 2nd gene designated PmPS5B was located on wheat chromosome 2BL with 3 microsatellite markers mapping proximally to the gene: Xwmc317 at 1.1 cM; Xgwm111 at 2.2 cM; and Xgwm382 at 4.0 cM; and 1 marker, Xgwm526, mapping distally to the gene at a distance of 18.1 cM. Since this gene showed no linkage to the other 2 known powdery mildew resistance genes on wheat chromosome 2B, Pm6 and Pm26, we believe it is a novel powdery mildew resistance gene and propose to designate this gene as Pm33.     

Pm50: a new powdery mildew resistance gene in common wheat derived from cultivated emmer

Fungal diseases of wheat, including powdery mildew, cause significant crop, yield and quality losses throughout the world. Knowledge of the genetic basis of powdery mildew resistance will greatly support future efforts to develop and cultivate resistant cultivars. Studies were conducted on cultivated emmer-derived wheat line K2 to identify genes involved in powdery mildew resistance at the seedling and adult plant growth stages using a BC₁ doubled haploid population derived from a cross between K2 and susceptible cultivar Audace. A single gene was located distal to microsatellite marker Xgwm294 on the long arm of chromosome 2A. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis indicated that the gene was also effective at the adult plant stage, explaining up to 79.0 % of the variation in the progeny. Comparison of genetic maps indicated that the resistance gene in K2 was different from Pm4, the only other formally named resistance gene located on chromosome 2AL, and PmHNK54, a gene derived from Chinese germplasm. The new gene was designated Pm50.     

Identification and validation of powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii)-resistant loci in recombinant inbred lines of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Powdery mildew limits cucumber production worldwide. Most resistant cucumber cultivars become susceptible to powdery mildew at low temperatures. Resistance within a wide temperature range is therefore desirable for cucumber production. We constructed a cucumber genetic linkage map based on a population of 111 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between CS-PMR1, with strong and temperature-independent resistance, and Santou, with moderate and temperature-dependent resistance. The map spans 693.0 cM and consists of 296 markers segregating into seven linkage groups; the markers include 289 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), six sequence characterized amplified regions, and one inter simple sequence repeat. Due to the presence of 150 common SSR markers, we were able to compare our map with previously published maps obtained by using populations derived from inter- or intra-variety crosses. We also evaluated powdery mildew resistance of the recombinant inbred lines and identified seven quantitative trait loci (QTL) contributed by CS-PMR1 and two QTL contributed by Santou. Four QTL (pm3.1, pm5.1, pm5.2 and pm5.3) were successfully validated by using populations derived from residual heterozygous lines. Some of the QTL identified in our study are in good agreement with previously published results obtained with materials of different origin. The markers reported here would be useful for introducing high and temperature-independent resistance by accumulation of QTL from CS-PMR1 and Santou.     

QTL mapping of adult-plant resistance to stripe rust in a population derived from common wheat cultivars Naxos and Shanghai 3/Catbird

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Erikss., is a severe foliar disease of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Use of adult-plant resistance (APR) is an efficient approach to provide long-term protection of crops from the disease. The German spring wheat cultivar Naxos showed a high level of APR to stripe rust in the field. To identify the APR genes in this cultivar, a mapping population of 166 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from a cross between Naxos and Shanghai 3/Catbird (SHA3/CBRD), a moderately susceptible line developed by CIMMYT. The RILs were evaluated for maximum disease severity (MDS) in Sichuan and Gansu in the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 cropping seasons. Composite interval mapping (CIM) identified four QTL, QYr.caas-1BL.1RS, QYr.caas-1DS, QYr.caas-5BL.3 and QYr.caas-7BL.1, conferring stable resistance to stripe rust across all environments, each explaining 1.9-27.6, 2.1-5.8, 2.5-7.8 and 3.7-9.1?% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. QYr.caas-1DS flanked by molecular markers XUgwm353-Xgdm33b was likely a new QTL for APR to stripe rust. Because the interval between flanking markers for each QTL was less than 6.5?cM, these QTL and their closely linked markers are potentially useful for improving resistance to stripe rust in wheat breeding.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pm37</Emphasis>, a new broadly effective powdery mildew resistance gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">timopheevii</Emphasis>

Powdery mildew is an important foliar disease in wheat, especially in areas with a cool or maritime climate. A dominant powdery mildew resistance gene transferred to the hexaploid germplasm line NC99BGTAG11 from T. timopheevii subsp. armeniacum was mapped distally on the long arm of chromosome 7A. Differential reactions were observed between the resistance gene in NC99BGTAG11 and the alleles of the Pm1 locus that is also located on chromosome arm 7AL. Observed segregation in F_2:3 lines from the cross NC99BGTAG11 × Axminster (Pm1a) demonstrate that germplasm line NC99BGTAG11 carries a novel powdery mildew resistance gene, which is now designated as Pm37. This new gene is highly effective against all powdery mildew isolates tested so far. Analyses of the population with molecular markers indicate that Pm37 is located 16 cM proximal to the Pm1 complex. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers Xgwm332 and Xwmc790 were located 0.5 cM proximal and distal, respectively, to Pm37. In order to identify new markers in the region, wheat expressed sequence tags (ESTs) located in the distal 10% of 7AL that were orthologous to sequences from chromosome 6 of rice were targeted. The two new EST-derived STS markers were located distal to Pm37 and one marker was closely linked to the Pm1a region. These new markers can be used in marker-assisted selection schemes to develop wheat cultivars with pyramids of powdery mildew resistance genes, including combinations of Pm37 in coupling linkage with alleles of the Pm1 locus.     

Genetic dissection of powdery mildew resistance in interspecific half-sib grapevine families using SNP-based maps

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) identification in perennial fruit crops is impeded largely by their lengthy generation time, resulting in costly and labor-intensive maintenance of breeding programs. In a grapevine (genus Vitis) breeding program, although experimental families are typically unreplicated, the genetic backgrounds may contain similar progenitors previously selected due to their contribution of favorable alleles. In this study, we investigated the utility of joint QTL identification provided by analyzing half-sib families. The genetic control of powdery mildew was studied using two half-sib F₁ families, namely GE0711/1009 (MN1264 × MN1214; N = 147) and GE1025 (MN1264 × MN1246; N = 125) with multiple species in their ancestry. Maternal genetic maps consisting of 1077 and 1641 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, respectively, were constructed using a pseudo-testcross strategy. Ratings of field resistance to powdery mildew were obtained based on whole-plant evaluation of disease severity. This 2-year analysis uncovered two QTLs that were validated on a consensus map in these half-sib families with improved precision relative to the parental maps. Examination of haplotype combinations based on the two QTL regions identified strong association of haplotypes inherited from ‘Seyval blanc’, through MN1264, with powdery mildew resistance. This investigation also encompassed the use of microsatellite markers to establish a correlation between 206-bp (UDV-015b) and 357-bp (VViv67) fragment sizes with resistance-carrying haplotypes. Our work is one of the first reports in grapevine demonstrating the use of SNP-based maps and haplotypes for QTL identification and tagging of powdery mildew resistance in half-sib families.     

Identification of QTLs for resistance to powdery mildew and SSR markers diagnostic for powdery mildew resistance genes in melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii is an important foliar disease in melon. To find molecular markers for marker-assisted selection, we constructed a genetic linkage map of melon based on a population of 93 recombinant inbred lines derived from crosses between highly resistant AR 5 and susceptible ‘Earl’s Favourite (Harukei 3)’. The map spans 877 cM and consists of 167 markers, comprising 157 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), 7 sequence characterized amplified region/cleavage amplified polymorphic sequence markers and 3 phenotypic markers segregating into 20 linkage groups. Among them, 37 SSRs and 6 other markers were common to previous maps. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis identified two loci for resistance to powdery mildew. The effects of these QTLs varied depending on strain and plant stage. The percentage of phenotypic variance explained for resistance to the pxA strain was similar between QTLs (R ² = 22–28%). For resistance to pxB strain, the QTL on linkage group (LG) XII was responsible for much more of the variance (41–46%) than that on LG IIA (12–13%). The QTL on LG IIA was located between two SSR markers. Using an independent population, we demonstrated the effectiveness of these markers. This is the first report of universal and effective markers linked to a gene for powdery mildew resistance in melon.     

栽培一粒小麦3AA30中抗白粉病基因的鉴定及分子标记定位

栽培一粒小麦是普通小麦的近缘种,遗传多样性丰富,蕴含丰富的抗病基因,是小麦抗病性改良的重要资源。本文对栽培一粒小麦抗白粉病材料3AA30的抗白粉病基因进行了遗传分析和分子标记定位。结果表明,3AA30中含有一个隐性抗白粉病基因,暂命名为ml3AA30,找到了5个与该基因连锁的SSR分子标记Xgwm6、Xcfd39、Xcfa2185、Xcfa2141、Xcfa2155及2个STS标记Xmag2170、Xmag1491,并构建了ml3AA30的遗传连锁图,将该基因定位在小麦5A染色体长臂上。本研究为小麦抗病育种提供了新的抗源材料。     

Localization of a novel recessive powdery mildew resistance gene from common wheat line RD30 in the terminal region of chromosome 7AL

Segregation analysis of resistance to powdery mildew in a F₂ progeny from the cross Chinese Spring (CS) × TA2682c revealed the inheritance of a dominant and a recessive powdery mildew resistance gene. Selfing of susceptible F₂ individuals allowed the establishment of a mapping population segregating exclusively for the recessive resistance gene. The extracted resistant derivative showing full resistance to each of 11 wheat powdery mildew isolates was designated RD30. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of bulked segregants from F₃s showing the homozygous susceptible and resistant phenotypes revealed an AFLP marker that was associated with the recessive resistance gene in repulsion phase. Following the assignment of this AFLP marker to wheat chromosome 7A by means of CS nullitetrasomics, an inspection of simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci evenly spaced along chromosome 7A showed that the recessive resistance gene maps to the distal region of chromosome 7AL. On the basis of its close linkage to the Pm1 locus, as inferred from connecting partial genetic maps of 7AL of populations CS × TA2682c and CS × Virest (Pm1e), and its unique disease response pattern, the recessive resistance gene in RD30 was considered to be novel and tentatively designated mlRD30.Communicated by C. Möllers     

Combination of all-stage and high-temperature adult-plant resistance QTL confers high-level,durable resistance to stripe rust in winter wheat cultivar Madsen

Key message

Wheat cultivar Madsen has a new gene on the short arm of chromosome 1A and two QTL for all-stage resistance and three QTL for high-temperature adult-plant resistance that in combination confer high-level, durable resistance to stripe rust.

Abstract

Wheat cultivar Madsen has maintained a high-level resistance to stripe rust over 30 years. To map quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the high-level, durable resistance, 156 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from cross Avocet S?×?Madsen were phenotyped with selected races of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in the greenhouse seedling tests, and in naturally infected fields during 2015–2017. The RILs were genotyped by SSR and SNP markers from genotyping by sequencing and the 90 K wheat SNP chip. Three QTL for all-stage resistance were mapped on chromosomes 1AS, 1BS and 2AS, and two QTL for high-temperature adult-plant (HTAP) resistance were mapped on 3BS and 6BS. The most effective QTL on 2AS, explaining 8.97–23.10% of the phenotypic variation in seedling tests and 8.60–71.23% in field tests, contained Yr17 for all-stage resistance and an additional gene for HTAP resistance. The 6BS QTL, detected in all field tests, was identified as Yr78. The 1AS QTL, conferring all-stage resistance, was identified as a new gene, which explained 20.45 and 30.23% of variation in resistance to races PSTv-37 and PSTv-40, respectively, and contributed significantly to field resistance at Pullman in 2015-2017, but was not detected at Mount Vernon. The interactions among QTL were mostly additive, and RILs with all five QTL had the highest level of resistance in the field, similar to Madsen. Genotyping 148 US Pacific Northwest wheat cultivars with markers for the 1AS, 2AS and 6BS QTL validated the genes and markers, and indicated their usefulness for marker-assisted selection.

     

Association analysis of historical bread wheat germplasm using additive genetic covariance of relatives and population structure

Linkage disequilibrium can be used for identifying associations between traits of interest and genetic markers. This study used mapped diversity array technology (DArT) markers to find associations with resistance to stem rust, leaf rust, yellow rust, and powdery mildew, plus grain yield in five historical wheat international multienvironment trials from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Two linear mixed models were used to assess marker-trait associations incorporating information on population structure and covariance between relatives. An integrated map containing 813 DArT markers and 831 other markers was constructed. Several linkage disequilibrium clusters bearing multiple host plant resistance genes were found. Most of the associated markers were found in genomic regions where previous reports had found genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing the same traits, providing an independent validation of this approach. In addition, many new chromosome regions for disease resistance and grain yield were identified in the wheat genome. Phenotyping across up to 60 environments and years allowed modeling of genotype x environment interaction, thereby making possible the identification of markers contributing to both additive and additive x additive interaction effects of traits.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">MlAG12</Emphasis>: a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum timopheevii</Emphasis>-derived powdery mildew resistance gene in common wheat on chromosome 7AL

Wheat powdery mildew is an economically important disease in cool and humid environments. Powdery mildew causes yield losses as high as 48% through a reduction in tiller survival, kernels per head, and kernel size. Race-specific host resistance is the most consistent, environmentally friendly and, economical method of control. The wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm line NC06BGTAG12 possesses genetic resistance to powdery mildew introgressed from the AAGG tetraploid genome Triticum timopheevii subsp. armeniacum. Phenotypic evaluation of F₃ families derived from the cross NC06BGTAG12/‘Jagger’ and phenotypic evaluation of an F₂ population from the cross NC06BGTAG12/‘Saluda’ indicated that resistance to the ‘Yuma’ isolate of powdery mildew was controlled by a single dominant gene in NC06BGTAG12. Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) revealed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers specific for chromosome 7AL segregating with the resistance gene. The SSR markers Xwmc273 and Xwmc346 mapped 8.3 cM distal and 6.6 cM proximal, respectively, in NC06BGTAG12/Jagger. The multiallelic Pm1 locus maps to this region of chromosome 7AL. No susceptible phenotypes were observed in an evaluation of 967 F₂ individuals in the cross NC06BGTAG12/‘Axminster’ (Pm1a) which indicated that the NC06BGTAG12 resistance gene was allelic or in close linkage with the Pm1 locus. A detached leaf test with ten differential powdery mildew isolates indicated the resistance in NC06BGTAG12 was different from all designated alleles at the Pm1 locus. Further linkage and allelism tests with five other temporarily designated genes in this very complex region will be required before giving a permanent designation to this gene. At this time the gene is given the temporary gene designation MlAG12.     

Microsatellite mapping of a Triticum urartu Tum. derived powdery mildew resistance gene transferred to common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A powdery mildew resistance gene from Triticum urartu Tum. accession UR206 was successfully transferred into hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through crossing and backcrossing. The F₁ plants, which had 28 chromosomes and an average of 5.32 bivalents and 17.36 univalents in meiotic pollen mother cells (PMC), were obtained through embryos rescued owing to shriveling of endosperm in hybrid seed of cross Chinese Spring (CS) × UR206. Hybrid seeds were produced through backcrossing F₁ with common wheat parents. The derivative lines had normal chromosome numbers and powdery mildew resistance similar to the donor UR206, indicating that the powdery mildew resistance gene originating from T. urartu accession UR206 was successfully transferred and expressed in a hexaploid wheat background. Genetic analysis indicated that a single dominant gene controlled the powdery mildew resistance at the seedling stage. To map and tag the powdery mildew resistance gene, 143 F₂ individuals derived from a cross UR206 × UR203 were used to construct a linkage map. The resistant gene was mapped on the chromosome 7AL based on the mapped microsatellite makers. The map spanned 52.1 cM and the order of these microsatellite loci agreed well with the established microsatellite map of chromosome arm 7AL. The resistance gene was flanked by the microsatellite loci Xwmc273 and Xpsp3003, with the genetic distances of 2.2 cM and 3.8 cM, respectively. On the basis of the origin and chromosomal location of the gene, it was temporarily designated PmU.     

A new powdery mildew resistance allele at the Pm4 wheat locus transferred from einkorn (Triticum monococcum)

Powdery mildew is one of the most destructive foliar diseases of wheat. A set of differential Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici (Bgt) isolates was used to test the powdery mildew response of a Triticum monococcum-derived resistant hexaploid line, Tm27d2. Segregation analysis of 95 F_2:3 lines from a Chinese Spring/Tm27d2 cross revealed that the resistance of Tm27d2 is controlled by a single dominant gene. Using monosomic analysis and a molecular mapping approach, the resistance gene was localized to the terminal end of chromosome 2AL. The linkage map of chromosome 2AL consisted of nine simple sequence repeat markers and one sequence-tagged site (STS) marker (ResPm4) indicative for the Pm4 locus. According to the differential reactions of 19 wheat cultivars/lines with known powdery mildew resistance genes to 13 Bgt isolates, Tm27d2 carried a new resistance specificity. The complete association of the resistance allele with STS marker ResPm4 indicated that it represented a new allele at the Pm4 locus. This new allele was designated Pm4d. The two flanking markers Xgwm526 and Xbarc122 closely linked to Pm4d at genetic distances of 3.4 and 1.0 cM, respectively, are present in chromosome bin 2AL1-0.85-1.00.