Molecular mapping of a recessive powdery mildew resistance gene in spelt wheat cultivar Hubel

Wheat powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is one of the most important wheat diseases worldwide. The basis for wheat powdery mildew resistance breeding consists of screening diversified host genetic resources with a range of races of the powdery mildew pathogen. Spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta 2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD) is a close relative of common wheat (T. aestivum ssp. aestivum) and contains several known disease resistance genes, including Pm1d, Yr5, and Lr65. Here, we report the identification and mapping of a powdery mildew resistance gene in spelt wheat cultivar Hubel, which was introduced to China from Europe and is resistant to Chinese Bgt isolate E09 at the seedling stage. Genetic analysis of a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross of Hubel and a susceptible early maturing mutant line indicated that Hubel possessed a recessive powdery mildew resistance gene (temporarily designated MlHubel). Markers linked to MlHubel were identified using bulked segregant analysis, simple sequence repeat, and expressed sequence tag-derived sequence tagged site methods. The linked markers were physically located on wheat chromosome 2D. Comparative genomic analysis indicated that the genetic interval covering MlHubel in wheat is highly colinear with the corresponding regions on Brachypodium distachyon chromosome 5 and Oryza sativa chromosome 4. Accordingly, the genetic map of MlHubel was established in comparison with B. distachyon 5L and O. sativa 4L, with the closest marker Xgwm265 being 0.4 cM from MlHubel. The identification of the recessive powdery mildew gene in spelt wheat suggests the potential of this accession along with its closely linked markers in breeding for resistance to powdery mildew.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pm61</Emphasis>: a recessive gene for resistance to powdery mildew in wheat landrace Xuxusanyuehuang identified by comparative genomics analysis

Key message

A single recessive powdery mildew resistance gene Pm61 from wheat landrace Xuxusanyuehuang was mapped within a 0.46-cM genetic interval spanning a 1.3-Mb interval of the genomic region of chromosome arm 4AL.

Abstract

Epidemics of powdery mildew incited by the biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) have caused significant yield reductions in many wheat (Triticum aestivum)-producing regions. Identification of powdery mildew resistance genes is required for sustainable improvement of wheat for disease resistance. Chinese wheat landrace Xuxusanyuehuang was resistant to several Bgt isolates at the seedling stage. Genetic analysis based on the inoculation of Bgt isolate E09 on the F₁, F₂, and F_2:3 populations produced by crossing Xuxusanyuehuang to susceptible cultivar Mingxian 169 revealed that the resistance of Xuxusanyuehuang was controlled by a single recessive gene. Bulked segregant analysis and simple sequence repeat (SSR) mapping placed the gene on chromosome bin 4AL-4-0.80-1.00. Comparative genomics analysis was performed to detect the collinear genomic regions of Brachypodium distachyon, rice, sorghum, Aegilops tauschii, T. urartu, and T. turgidum ssp. dicoccoides. Based on the use of 454 contig sequences and the International Wheat Genome Sequence Consortium survey sequence of Chinese Spring wheat, four EST-SSR and seven SSR markers were linked to the gene. An F₅ recombinant inbred line population derived from Xuxusanyuehuang?×?Mingxian 169 cross was used to develop the genetic linkage map. The gene was localized in a 0.46-cM genetic interval between Xgwm160 and Xicsx79 corresponding to 1.3-Mb interval of the genomic region in wheat genome. This is a new locus for powdery mildew resistance on chromosome arm 4AL and is designated Pm61.

     

High-density mapping and marker development for the powdery mildew resistance gene PmAS846 derived from wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides)

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is an important foliar disease of wheat worldwide. The dominant powdery mildew resistance gene PmAS846 was transferred to the hexaploid wheat lines N9134 and N9738 from wild emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccoides) in 1995, and it is still one of the most effective resistance genes in China. A high resolution genetic map for PmAS846 locus was constructed using two F₂ populations and corresponding F_2:3 families developed from the crosses of N9134/Shaanyou 225 and N9738/Huixianhong. Synteny between wheat and Brachypodium distachyon and rice was used to develop closely linked molecular markers to reduce the genetic interval around PmAS846. Twenty-six expressed sequence tag-derived markers were mapped to the PmAS846 locus. Five markers co-segregated with PmAS846 in the F₂ population of N9134/Shaanyou 225. PmAS846 was physically located to wheat chromosome 5BL bin 0.75–0.76 within a gene-rich region. The markers order is conserved between wheat and Brachypodium distachyon, but rearrangements are present in rice. Two markers, BJ261635 and CJ840011 flanked PmAS846 and narrowed PmAS846 to a region that is collinear with 197 and 112 kb genomic regions on Brachypodium chromosome 4 and rice chromosome 9, respectively. The genes located on the corresponding homologous regions in Brachypodium, rice and barley could be considered for further marker saturation and identification of potential candidate genes for PmAS846. The markers co-segregating with PmAS846 provide a potential target site for positional cloning of PmAS846, and can be used for marker-assisted selection of this gene.     

Fine Mapping of Wheat Stripe Rust Resistance Gene Yr26 Based on Collinearity of Wheat with Brachypodium distachyon and Rice

The Yr26 gene, conferring resistance to all currently important races of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) in China, was previously mapped to wheat chromosome deletion bin C-1BL-6-0.32 with low-density markers. In this study, collinearity of wheat to Brachypodium distachyon and rice was used to develop markers to saturate the chromosomal region containing the Yr26 locus, and a total of 2,341 F₂ plants and 551 F_2∶3 progenies derived from Avocet S×92R137 were used to develop a fine map of Yr26. Wheat expressed sequence tags (ESTs) located in deletion bin C-1BL-6-0.32 were used to develop sequence tagged site (STS) markers. The EST-STS markers flanking Yr26 were used to identify collinear regions of the rice and B. distachyon genomes. Wheat ESTs with significant similarities in the two collinear regions were selected to develop conserved markers for fine mapping of Yr26. Thirty-one markers were mapped to the Yr26 region, and six of them cosegregated with the resistance gene. Marker orders were highly conserved between rice and B. distachyon, but some rearrangements were observed between rice and wheat. Two flanking markers (CON-4 and CON-12) further narrowed the genomic region containing Yr26 to a 1.92 Mb region in B. distachyon chromosome 3 and a 1.17 Mb region in rice chromosome 10, and two putative resistance gene analogs were identified in the collinear region of B. distachyon. The markers developed in this study provide a potential target site for further map-based cloning of Yr26 and should be useful in marker assisted selection for pyramiding the gene with other resistance genes.     

Molecular Cytogenetic Identification of a New Wheat-Rye 6R Chromosome Disomic Addition Line with Powdery Mildew Resistance

Rye (Secale cereale L.) possesses many valuable genes that can be used for improving disease resistance, yield and environment adaptation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, the documented resistance stocks derived from rye is faced severe challenge due to the variation of virulent isolates in the pathogen populations. Therefore, it is necessary to develop desirable germplasm and search for novel resistance gene sources against constantly accumulated variation of the virulent isolates. In the present study, a new wheat-rye line designated as WR49-1 was produced through distant hybridization and chromosome engineering protocols between common wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 6 and rye cultivar German White. Using sequential GISH (genomic in situ hybridization), mc-FISH (multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization), mc-GISH (multicolor GISH) and EST (expressed sequence tag)-based marker analysis, WR49-1 was proved to be a new wheat-rye 6R disomic addition line. As expected, WR49-1 showed high levels of resistance to wheat powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, Bgt) pathogens prevalent in China at the adult growth stage and 19 of 23 Bgt isolates tested at the seedling stage. According to its reaction pattern to different Bgt isolates, WR49-1 may possess new resistance gene(s) for powdery mildew, which differed from the documented powdery mildew gene, including Pm20 on chromosome arm 6RL of rye. Additionally, WR49-1 was cytologically stable, had improved agronomic characteristics and therefore could serve as an important bridge for wheat breeding and chromosome engineering.     

Comparative genetic mapping and genomic region collinearity analysis of the powdery mildew resistance gene Pm41

Key message

By applying comparative genomics analyses, a high-density genetic linkage map narrowed the powdery mildew resistance gene Pm41 originating from wild emmer in a sub-centimorgan genetic interval.

Abstract

Wheat powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, results in large yield losses worldwide. A high-density genetic linkage map of the powdery mildew resistance gene Pm41, originating from wild emmer (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) and previously mapped to the distal region of chromosome 3BL bin 0.63–1.00, was constructed using an F_5:6 recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross of durum wheat cultivar Langdon and wild emmer accession IW2. By applying comparative genomics analyses, 19 polymorphic sequence-tagged site markers were developed and integrated into the Pm41 genetic linkage map. Ultimately, Pm41 was mapped in a 0.6 cM genetic interval flanked by markers XWGGC1505 and XWGGC1507, which correspond to 11.7, 19.2, and 24.9 kb orthologous genomic regions in Brachypodium, rice, and sorghum, respectively. The XWGGC1506 marker co-segregated with Pm41 and could be served as a starting point for chromosome landing and map-based cloning as well as marker-assisted selection of Pm41. Detailed comparative genomics analysis of the markers flanking the Pm41 locus in wheat and the putative orthologous genes in Brachypodium, rice, and sorghum suggests that the gene order is highly conserved between rice and sorghum. However, intra-chromosome inversions and re-arrangements are evident in the wheat and Brachypodium genomic regions, and gene duplications are also present in the orthologous genomic regions of Pm41 in wheat, indicating that the Brachypodium gene model can provide more useful information for wheat marker development.     

Genetic analysis of a novel broad-spectrum powdery mildew resistance gene from the wheat-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agropyron cristatum</Emphasis> introgression line Pubing 74

Main conclusion

A novel broad-spectrum powdery mildew resistance gene PmPB74 was identified in wheat- Agropyron cristatum introgression line Pubing 74. Development of wheat cultivars with broad-spectrum, durable resistance to powdery mildew has been restricted by lack of superior genetic resources. In this study, a wheat-A. cristatum introgression line Pubing 74, originally selected from a wide cross between the common wheat cultivar Fukuhokomugi (Fukuho) and Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn (2n = 4x = 28; genome PPPP), displayed resistance to powdery mildew at both the seedling and adult stages. The putative alien chromosomal fragment in Pubing 74 was below the detection limit of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), but evidence for other non-GISH-detectable introgressions was provided by the presence of three STS markers specific to A. cristatum. Genetic analysis indicated that Pubing 74 carried a single dominant gene for powdery mildew resistance, temporarily designated PmPB74. Molecular mapping showed that PmPB74 was located on wheat chromosome arm 5DS, and flanked by markers Xcfd81 and HRM02 at genetic distances of 2.5 and 1.7 cM, respectively. Compared with other lines with powdery mildew resistance gene(s) on wheat chromosome arm 5DS, Pubing 74 was resistant to all 28 Blumeria graminis f. sp tritici (Bgt) isolates from different wheat-producing regions of northern China. Allelism tests indicated that PmPB74 was not allelic to PmPB3558 or Pm2. Our work showed that PmPB74 is a novel gene with broad resistance to powdery mildew, and hence will be helpful in broadening the genetic basis of powdery mildew resistance in wheat.

     

Mapping of novel powdery mildew resistance gene(s) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agropyron cristatum</Emphasis> chromosome 2P

Key message

A physical map of Agropyron cristatum 2P chromosome was constructed for the first time and the novel powdery mildew resistance gene(s) from chromosome 2P was(were) also mapped.

Abstract

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (2n = 28, PPPP), a wild relative of common wheat, is highly resistant to powdery mildew. Previous studies showed that wheat-A. cristatum 2P disomic addition line II-9-3 displayed high resistance to powdery mildew, and the resistance was attributable to A. cristatum chromosome 2P. To utilize and physically map the powdery mildew resistance gene(s), 15 wheat-A. cristatum 2P translocation lines and three A. cristatum 2P deletion lines with different chromosomal segment sizes, obtained from II-9-3 using ⁶⁰Co-γ ray irradiation, were characterized using cytogenetic and molecular marker analysis. A. cristatum 2P chromosomal segments in the translocations were translocated to different wheat chromosomes, including 1A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 1B, 2B, 3B, 7B, 3D, 4D, and 6D. A physical map of the 2P chromosome was constructed with 82 STS markers, consisting of nine bins with 34 markers on 2PS and eight bins with 48 markers on 2PL. The BC₁F₂ populations of seven wheat-A. cristatum 2P translocation lines (2PT-3, 2PT-4, 2PT-5, 2PT-6, 2PT-8, 2PT-9, and 2PT-10) were developed by self-pollination, tested with powdery mildew and genotyped with 2P-specific STS markers. From these results, the gene(s) conferring powdery mildew resistance was(were) located on 2PL bin FL 0.66–0.86 and 19 2P-specific markers were identified in this bin. Moreover, two new powdery mildew-resistant translocation lines (2PT-4 and 2PT-5) with small 2PL chromosome segments were obtained. The newly developed wheat lines with powdery mildew resistance and the closely linked molecular markers will be valuable for wheat disease breeding in the future.

     

Adult plant and seedling resistance to powdery mildew in a Triticum aestivum × Triticum militinae hybrid line

In the progeny of a cross between the common wheat cultivar Tähti and Triticum militinae, a member of the timopheevii group of tetraploid wheats, several hybrid lines were selected that are characterized by improved seedling and adult plant resistance (APR) to powdery mildew. An F₂ single-seed descendant mapping population segregating for seedling resistance and APR to powdery mildew was analysed for the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL). The main QTL responsible for APR was detected on the long arm of chromosome 4A tightly linked to the Xgwm160 locus on a T. militinae translocation explaining up to 54% of phenotypic variance. The same translocation influenced seedling resistance to powdery mildew upon inoculation of plants with a synthetic population of Blumeria graminis DC. f. sp. tritici, and explained 28–33% of the phenotypic variance.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pm59</Emphasis>, a novel powdery mildew resistance gene in Afghanistan wheat landrace PI 181356

Key message

A new powdery mildew resistance gene, designated Pm59, was identified in Afghanistan wheat landrace PI 181356, and mapped in the terminal region of the long arm of chromosome 7A.

Abstract

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is an important foliar disease of wheat worldwide. In the Great Plains of the USA, Bgt isolates virulent to widely used powdery mildew resistance genes, such as Pm3a, were previously identified. The objectives of this study were to characterize the powdery mildew resistance gene in Afghanistan landrace PI 181356, which exhibited high resistance to Bgt isolates collected in southern Great Plains, and identify molecular markers for marker-assisted selection. An F₂ population and F_2:3 lines derived from a cross between PI 181356 and OK1059060-126135-3 were used in this study. Genetic analysis indicated that PI 181356 carries a single dominant gene, designated Pm59, in the terminal region of the long arm of chromosome 7A. Pm59 was mapped to an interval between sequence tag site (STS) markers Xmag1759 and Xmag1714 with genetic distances of 0.4 cM distal to Xmag1759 and 5.7 cM proximal to Xmag1714. Physical mapping suggested that Pm59 is in the distal bin 7AL 0.99–1.00. Pm59 is a novel powdery mildew resistance gene, and confers resistance to Bgt isolates collected from the Great Plains and the state of Montana. Therefore, Pm59 can be used to breed powdery mildew-resistant cultivars in these regions. Xmag1759 is ideal for marker-assisted selection of Pm59 in wheat breeding.

     

Identification and mapping of PmG16, a powdery mildew resistance gene derived from wild emmer wheat

The gene-pool of wild emmer wheat, Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides, harbors a rich allelic repertoire for disease resistance. In the current study, we made use of tetraploid wheat mapping populations derived from a cross between durum wheat (cv. Langdon) and wild emmer (accession G18-16) to identify and map a new powdery mildew resistance gene derived from wild emmer wheat. Initially, the two parental lines were screened with a collection of 42 isolates of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) from Israel and 5 isolates from Switzerland. While G18-16 was resistant to 34 isolates, Langdon was resistant only to 5 isolates and susceptible to 42 isolates. Isolate Bgt#15 was selected to differentiate between the disease reactions of the two genotypes. Segregation ratio of F_2-3 and recombinant inbreed line (F₇) populations to inoculation with isolate Bgt#15 indicated the role of a single dominant gene in conferring resistance to Bgt#15. This gene, temporarily designated PmG16, was located on the distal region of chromosome arm 7AL. Genetic map of PmG16 region was assembled with 32 simple sequence repeat (SSR), sequence tag site (STS), Diversity array technology (DArT) and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers and assigned to the 7AL physical bin map (7AL-16). Using four DNA markers we established colinearity between the genomic region spanning the PmG16 locus within the distal region of chromosome arm 7AL and the genomic regions on rice chromosome 6 and Brachypodium Bd1. A comparative analysis was carried out between PmG16 and other known Pm genes located on chromosome arm 7AL. The identified PmG16 may facilitate the use of wild alleles for improvement of powdery mildew resistance in elite wheat cultivars via marker-assisted selection.     

Identification and comparative mapping of a powdery mildew resistance gene derived from wild emmer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum turgidum</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">dicoccoides</Emphasis>) on chromosome 2BS

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is an important foliar disease of wheat worldwide. Wild emmer (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) is a valuable genetic resource for improving disease resistance in common wheat. A powdery mildew resistance gene conferring resistance to B. graminis f. sp. tritici isolate E09 at the seedling and adult stages was identified in wild emmer accession IW170 introduced from Israel. An incomplete dominant gene, temporarily designated MlIW170, was responsible for the resistance. Through molecular marker and bulked segregant analyses of an F₂ population and F₃ families derived from a cross between susceptible durum wheat line 81086A and IW170, MlIW170 was located in the distal chromosome bin 2BS3-0.84-1.00 and flanked by SSR markers Xcfd238 and Xwmc243. MlIW170 co-segregated with Xcau516, an STS marker developed from RFLP marker Xwg516 that co-segregated with powdery mildew resistance gene Pm26 on 2BS. Four EST–STS markers, BE498358, BF201235, BQ160080, and BF146221, were integrated into the genetic linkage map of MlIW170. Three AFLP markers, XPaacMcac, XPagcMcta, XPaacMcag, and seven AFLP-derived SCAR markers, XcauG2, XcauG3, XcauG6, XcauG8, XcauG10, XcauG20, and XcauG25, were linked to MlIW170. XcauG3, a resistance gene analog (RGA)-like sequence, co-segregated with MlIW170. The non-glaucousness locus Iw1 was 18.77 cM distal to MlIW170. By comparative genomics of wheat–Brachypodium–rice genomic co-linearity, four EST–STS markers, CJ658408, CJ945509, BQ169830, CJ945085, and one STS marker XP2430, were developed and MlIW170 was mapped in an 2.69 cM interval that is co-linear with a 131 kb genomic region in Brachypodium and a 105 kb genomic region in rice. Four RGA-like sequences annotated in the orthologous Brachypodium genomic region could serve as chromosome landing target regions for map-based cloning of MlIW170.     

Identification and mapping of <Emphasis Type="Italic">MLIW30</Emphasis>, a novel powdery mildew resistance gene derived from wild emmer wheat

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici (Bgt), is a destructive foliar disease of common wheat in areas with cool or maritime climates. Wild emmer wheat, Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides, the progenitor of both domesticated tetraploid durum wheat and hexaploid bread wheat, harbors abundant genetic diversity related to resistance to powdery mildew that can be utilized for wheat improvement. An F₂ segregating population was obtained from a cross between resistant bread wheat line 2L6 and susceptible cultivar Liaochun 10, after which genetic analysis of F₂ and F₂-derived F₃ families was performed by inoculating plants with isolate Bgt E09. The results of this experiment demonstrated that powdery mildew resistance in 2L6, which was derived from wild emmer wheat accession IW30, was controlled by a single dominant gene, temporarily designated MLIW30. Nineteen SSR markers and two STS markers linked with MLIW30 were acquired by applying bulked segregant analysis. Finally, MLIW30 was located to the long arm of chromosome 4A and found to be flanked by simple sequence repeat markers XB1g2000.2 and XB1g2020.2 at 0.1 cM. Because no powdery mildew resistance gene in or derived from wild emmer wheat has been reported in wheat chromosome 4A, MLIW30 might be a novel Pm gene.     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pm62</Emphasis>, an adult-plant powdery mildew resistance gene introgressed from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dasypyrum villosum</Emphasis> chromosome arm 2VL into wheat

Key message

Pm62, a novel adult-plant resistance (APR) gene against powdery mildew, was transferred from D. villosum into common wheat in the form of Robertsonian translocation T2BS.2VL#5.

Abstract

Powdery mildew, which is caused by the fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is a major disease of wheat resulting in substantial yield and quality losses in many wheat production regions of the world. Introgression of resistance from wild species into common wheat has application for controlling this disease. A Triticum durum-Dasypyrum villosum chromosome 2V#5 disomic addition line, N59B-1 (2n?=?30), improved resistance to powdery mildew at the adult-plant stage, which was attributable to chromosome 2V#5. To transfer this resistance into bread wheat, a total of 298 BC₁F₁ plants derived from the crossing between N59B-1 and Chinese Spring were screened by combined genomic in situ hybridization and fluorescent in situ hybridization, 2V-specific marker analysis, and reaction to powdery mildew to confirm that a dominant adult-plant resistance gene, designated as Pm62, was located on chromosome 2VL#5. Subsequently, the 2VL#5 (2D) disomic substitution line (NAU1825) and the homozygous T2BS.2VL#5 Robertsonian translocation line (NAU1823), with normal plant vigor and full fertility, were identified by molecular and cytogenetic analyses of the BC₁F₂ generation. The effects of the T2BS.2VL#5 recombinant chromosome on agronomic traits were also evaluated in the F₂ segregation population. The results suggest that the translocated chromosome may have no distinct effect on plant height, 1000-kernel weight or flowering period, but a slight effect on spike length and seeds per spike. The translocation line NAU1823 has being utilized as a novel germplasm in breeding for powdery mildew resistance, and the effects of the T2BS.2VL#5 recombinant chromosome on yield-related and flour quality characters will be further assessed.

     

Quantitative trait loci mapping of adult-plant resistance to powdery mildew in Chinese wheat cultivar Lumai 21

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is a major fungal disease in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. The Chinese winter wheat cultivar Lumai 21 has shown good and stable adult plant resistance for 19 years. The aim of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to powdery mildew in a population of 200 F₃ lines from the cross Lumai 21/Jingshuang 16. The population was tested for powdery mildew reaction in Beijing and Anyang in the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 cropping seasons, providing data for 4 environments. A total of 1,375 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were screened for associations with powdery mildew reactions, initially in bulked segregant analysis. Based on the mean disease values averaged across environments, broad-sense heritabilities of maximum disease severity and area under the disease progress curve were 0.96 and 0.77, respectively. Three QTLs for adult plant resistance were detected by inclusive composite interval mapping. These were designated QPm.caas-2BS, QPm.caas-2BL and QPm.caas-2DL, respectively, and explained from 5.4 to 20.6% of the phenotypic variance across environments. QPm.caas-2BS and QPm.caas-2DL were likely new adult plant resistance QTLs flanked by SSR markers Xbarc98–Xbarc1147 and Xwmc18–Xcfd233, respectively. These markers could be useful for improving wheat powdery mildew resistance in breeding programs.     

Identification and marker-assisted transfer of a new powdery mildew resistance gene at the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pm4</Emphasis> locus in common wheat

Powdery mildew, a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) foliar disease caused by Blumeria graminis (DC.) E.O. Speer f. sp. tritici, imposes a constant challenge on wheat production in areas with cool or maritime climates. This study was conducted to identify and transfer the resistance gene in the newly identified common wheat accession ‘D29’. Genetic analysis of the F₂ population derived from a cross of D29 with the susceptible elite cultivar Y158 suggested a single dominant gene is responsible for the powdery mildew resistance in this germplasm. This gene was mapped to chromosome 2AL in a region flanked by microsatellite markers Xgdm93 and Xhbg327, and co-segregated with sequence-tagged site (STS) markers Xsts_bcd1231 and TaAetPR5. An allelic test indicated that the D29 gene was allelic to the Pm4 locus. To further evaluate the resistance conferred by this gene and develop new germplasms for breeding, this gene, as well as Pm4a and Pm4b, was transferred to Y158 through backcross and marker-assisted selection. In the resistance spectrum analysis, the D29 gene displayed a resistance spectrum distinguishable from the other Pm4 alleles, including Pm4a, Pm4b, and Pm4c, and thus was designated as Pm4e. The identification of new allelic variation at the Pm4 locus is important for understanding the resistance gene evolution and for breeding wheat cultivars with powdery mildew resistance.     

Genetic analysis and detection of the gene MlLX99 on chromosome 2BL conferring resistance to powdery mildew in the wheat cultivar Liangxing 99

Key message

The effectiveness of wheat cultivar Liangxing 99 against powdery mildew was shown to be controlled by a single dominant gene located on a new locus of chromosome 2BL in the bin 2BL2-0.35-0.50.

Abstract

Liangxing 99, one of the most widely grown commercial cultivars in the winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) producing regions in northern China, was shown to provide a broad spectrum of resistance to Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) isolates originating from that region. Using an F₂ population and F_2:3 lines derived from a cross of Liangxing 99 × Zhongzuo 9504, genetic analysis demonstrated that a single dominant gene, designated MlLX99, was responsible for the resistance of Liangxing 99 to Bgt isolate E09. The results of molecular analysis indicated that this gene is located on chromosome 2BL and flanked by the SSR marker Xgwm120 and EST-STS marker BE604758 at genetic distances of 2.9 and 5.5 cM, respectively. Since the flanking markers of MlLX99 were previously mapped to the bin 2BL2-0.36-0.50, MlLX99 must be located in this chromosomal region. MlLX99 showed a different resistance reaction pattern to 60 Bgt isolates from Pm6, Pm33, and PmJM22, which were all previously mapped on chromosome 2BL, but differed in their positions from MlLX99. Due to its unique position on chromosome 2BL, MlLX99 appears to be a new locus for resistance to powdery mildew. Liangxing 99 has shown superior yield performance and wide adaptation to different agricultural conditions, which has resulted in its extensive use as a wheat cultivar in China. The identification of resistance gene MlLX99 facilitates the use of this cultivar in the protection of wheat from damage caused by powdery mildew.     

Mapping and validation of powdery mildew resistance loci from spring wheat cv. Naxos with SNP markers

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici, is a major wheat disease in maritime and temperate climates. Breeding for race-non-specific or partial resistance is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly disease control strategy. The German spring wheat cultivar Naxos has proven to be a good source for partial resistance to powdery mildew. The objectives of the present study were to map the resistance loci in Naxos with use of high-density SNP markers in the Shanghai3/Catbird x Naxos inbred line population and validate the results in a different genetic background; Soru#1 x Naxos. Both populations were genotyped with the Illumina iSelect 90K wheat chip, and integrated linkage maps developed by inclusion of previously genotyped SSR and DArT markers. With the new linkage maps, we detected a total of 12 QTL for powdery mildew resistance in Shanghai3/Catbird x Naxos, of which eight were derived from Naxos. Previously reported QTL on chromosome arms 1AS and 2BL were more precisely mapped and the SNP markers enabled discovery of new QTL on 1AL, 2AL, 5AS and 5AL. In the Soru#1 x Naxos population, four QTL for powdery mildew resistance were detected, of which three had resistance from Naxos. This mapping verified the 1AS and 2AL QTL detected in Shanghai3/Catbird x Naxos, and identified a new QTL from Naxos on 2BL. In conclusion, the improved linkage maps with SNP markers enabled discovery of new resistance QTL and more precise mapping of previously known QTL. Moreover, the results were validated in an independent genetic background.