Resistance to Rhynchosporium secalis in the winter barley cultivar Vulcan

The six-rowed winter barley cultivar Vulcan was found to be highly resistant to Rhynchosporium secalis in the field, although this resistance was not apparent in routine screening tests of barley genotypes carried out at the seedling stage. More precise seedling tests, using graded inoculum levels to derive dose-response curves, showed that cv. Vulcan had an ED₅₀ which was 4.8 times that of the susceptible, two-rowed cv. Maris Otter, and 4.1 times that of cv. Maris Puma. The inheritance of resistance was investigated at the adult plant stage in a cross with cv. Maris Otter. Although a clear-cut segregation of the F₃ progeny into resistant, segregating and susceptible phenotypes was not observed, the genetic variance of the F₃ family means was compatible with the hypothesis of monogenic control of resistance. Resistance was inherited independently of the factor for six-rowed head type.     

Changes in apoplastic antioxidants induced by powdery mildew attack in oat genotypes with race non-specific resistance

Three oat (Avena sativa L.) lines which show differential responses to attack by the biotrophic fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis DC f. sp. avenae Marchal, which causes powdery mildew, were studied: Maldwyn shows the strongest resistance in adult plants; Selma shows greater susceptibility; while a Selma × Maldwyn hybrid, OM1387, has a similar degree of resistance to Maldwyn. Host responses to pathogen attack were complete 48 h after inoculation but largely accomplished within the first 24 h, the point when material was taken for enzyme and metabolic assays. In Maldwyn and OM1387 about 80% of attacked cells showed localized autofluorescent host-cell responses but this fell to less than 20% in Selma. A cytoplasmic marker enzyme, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, was used to determine contamination of the apoplastic extracts by cellular components. After correction for cytoplasmic contamination, up to 4% of the total foliar activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase activities were detected in the apoplast. The apoplast contained about 2% of the total foliar glutathione pool and dehydroascorbate, but not ascorbate, at values amounting to 10% of the total foliar ascorbate plus dehydroascorbate pool. Twenty-four hours after inoculation the foliar or apoplastic ascorbate pools were similar in inoculated and control leaves. Foliar catalase activity increased in both susceptible and resistant responses. Resistance correlated with increased total foliar glutathione, an increase in the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione and with decreased total activities of foliar ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase. Received: 17 April 1998 / Accepted: 28 August 1998     

Reaction of Cotton Cultivars and an F2 Population to Stem Inoculation with Isolates Verticillium dahliae

Four Verticillium dahliae isolates (V76, TS‐2, PH, and V44) were used in screening four cotton cultivars (Pima S‐7, Acala Prema, M‐315 and Acala 44). Pima S‐7 and Acala Prema gave the highest resistance reactions and Acala 44 was the most susceptible. Isolate V76 of V. dahliae was the most virulent. An interspecific cross between the resistant cv Pima S‐7 (Gossypium barbadense) and the susceptible cv. Acala 44 (G. hirsutum) was made and the F₂ population phenotyped for Verticillium wilt effect. Phenotyping of plant reaction to the disease was quantified by using a set of six growth parameters (number of healthy leaves, number of nodes, leaf weight, stem weight, leaf to stem ratio, and total shoot weight) measured 3 weeks after inoculation. The F₂ phenotypic distribution of these parameters suggests that distribution is towards resistance and polygenic. Transgressive segregation also was observed. The number of healthy leaves and total shoot weight were found to be the best indicators of resistance. Results obtained in this study will be useful to quantify resistance to V. dahliae and identify the best parameters to phenotype in genetic studies.     

QTL analysis for transgressive resistance to root-knot nematode in interspecific cotton (Gossypium spp.) progeny derived from susceptible parents

The southern root-knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne incognita) is a major soil-inhabiting plant parasite that causes significant yield losses in cotton (Gossypium spp.). Progeny from crosses between cotton genotypes susceptible to RKN produced segregants in subsequent populations which were highly resistant to this parasite. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 138 lines developed from a cross between Upland cotton TM-1 (G. hirsutum L.) and Pima 3-79 (G. barbadense L.), both susceptible to RKN, was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) determining responses to RKN in greenhouse infection assays with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Compared to both parents, 53.6% and 52.1% of RILs showed less (P<0.05) root-galling index (GI) and had lower (P<0.05) nematode egg production (eggs per gram root, EGR). Highly resistant lines (transgressive segregants) were identified in this RIL population for GI and/or EGR in two greenhouse experiments. QTLs were identified using the single-marker analysis nonparametric mapping Kruskal-Wallis test. Four major QTLs located on chromosomes 3, 4, 11, and 17 were identified to account for 8.0 to 12.3% of the phenotypic variance (R(2)) in root-galling. Two major QTLs accounting for 9.7% and 10.6% of EGR variance were identified on chromosomes 14 and 23 (P<0.005), respectively. In addition, 19 putative QTLs (P<0.05) accounted for 4.5-7.7% of phenotypic variance (R(2)) in GI, and 15 QTLs accounted for 4.2-7.3% of phenotypic variance in EGR. In lines with alleles positive for resistance contributed by both parents in combinations of two to four QTLs, dramatic reductions of >50% in both GI and EGR were observed. The transgressive segregants with epistatic effects derived from susceptible parents indicate that high levels of nematode resistance in cotton may be attained by pyramiding positive alleles using a QTL mapping approach.     

Inheritance of resistance to yellow rust (Phragmidium rubi-idaei) in red raspberry

The inheritance of resistance in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) to yellow rust (Phragmidium rubi-idaei) was studied in a diallel cross among the cultivars Boyne, Meeker, Mailing Jewel, Glen Prosen and Glen Clova. The progenies and clonally propagated parents were exposed initially in a rust-infected plantation where the incidence and severity of infection was assessed at the telial stage. The following spring leaves on new canes of the same plants were inoculated with urediniospores in a glasshouse at 18 ± 2 °C. The latent period and number of uredinia per cm² of abaxial leaf surface were determined 13 and 18 days after inoculation. Cv. Boyne developed only chlorotic flecking on inoculated leaves in the glasshouse and no sporulation was observed. It is postulated that this reaction was determined by a major gene which is designated Yr. Some of the other parents showed incomplete resistance of the slow rusting type, and segregants of Boyne selfed that were susceptible also showed low levels of rust, which suggests that Boyne carries both major- and minor-gene resistance. Diallel analyses of both the field and glasshouse data from the susceptible segregates indicated that the degree of incomplete resistance present was determined predominantly by additive gene action, though small but significant non-additive effects also occurred: cv. Meeker was the most resistant parent and contributed the most resistance to the progenies. The Meeker progenies also segregated for gene H, which determines cane hairiness and is known to be associated with resistance to other diseases. Segregants without hairs (genotypes hh) were found to be the more resistant to rust.     

Marker assisted gene pyramiding for enhanced Tomato leaf curl virus disease resistance in tomato cultivars

The present research is aimed towards molecular marker assisted pyramiding Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) disease resistance genes into two ToLCV susceptible tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cvs. Pbc and H-86 (resistance genes recipient parents). Resistance gene donors were EC-538408 (Solanum chilense) and EC-520061 (S. peruvianum) in the case of cv. Pbc, and EC-520061 (S. peruvianum) and H-24 (S. lycopersicum) in the case of cv. H-86. A ToLCV resistance gene associated co-dominant simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker SSR-218 was used to discriminate between homozygotes and heterozygotes at the seedling stage prior to pollination, which enabled the rejection of nontarget back crosses and pyramiding progenies of the crosses PbcxEC-520061 and H-86xEC-520061, whereas SSR-306 was used for the cross PbcxEC-538408. Ty-2 gene cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) marker was used for the cross H-86xH-24. Out of 279 pyramiding progenies of the cross PbcxEC-538408/PbcxEC-520061, total 91 plants showed the presence of both resistance allele 1 and 2 along with both susceptibility alleles, and in 243 pyramiding progenies of the cross H-86xEC-520061/H-86xH-24, total 82 plants showed the presence of both resistance allele 1 and Ty-2 along with both susceptible alleles. The pyramiding lines that carried both pyramided resistance genes were resistant to tomato leaf curl disease throughout its life cycle.     

The effect of sowing date on adult plant resistance to Erysiphe graminis f.sp. avenae in oats

A technique developed for detecting small differences in mildew infection under glasshouse/laboratory conditions is described. A satisfactory correlation was found between results obtained by this method and infections in the field. Detailed examination of the levels of infection in cultivars Maldwyn and Milford showed that the upper and more recently developed leaves of Maldwyn had a significantly smaller area infected than those of Milford, although seedling leaves of both genotypes were very susceptible. This was most marked when plants were in the 6- to 7-leaf stage. Comparison of host plants sown on successive dates during the spring and early summer showed that with the acceleration of the rate of growth occurring in later-sown plants, resistance was expressed progressively earlier in the life of the plant. Newly expanded leaves which show very low level of infection at the 6- to 7-leaf stage become susceptible as they age, resistance being then expressed in the younger leaves.     

Complementarity of genes for resistance to greenbug [Schizaphis graminum (Rondani)], biotype E,in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Summary Gene complementarity among various sources of resistance to greenbug biotype E was assessed. Analysis of the F₂ generation of crosses between susceptible and resistant parents (mating 1) and among sources of resistance (mating 2) suggested that resistance in sorghum to greenbug biotype E was complexly inherited and, to some extent, dependent on the nature of both the resistant and susceptible parents. Positive transgressive segregation in the F₂ generations of both matings was found to be due to effective plus factors, contributed by both parents in a cross, which complemented each other. The number of plus factors ranged from one to two in the susceptible parents and from two to five in the resistant parents of mating 1, and from one to five in the parents of mating 2. The consistently significant reciprocal effects shown by Sarvasi and PI264453 indicated that these sources had major factors for resistance in their cytoplasms, which were expressed in all their crosses. The results from this study indicated that the sources of resistance complemented each other to give increased number of F₂ segregates with increased resistance. Thus, it should be possible to increase and diversify resistance of sorghum to greenbug biotype E by accumulating different, effective plus factors from various sources through recurrent selection.Contribution No. 90-106-J from the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA     

The genetics of rust resistance in sugar cane seedling populations

The inheritance of rust resistance was studied in sugar cane seedling populations using a factorial mating design over 1 summer and 2 winter seasons. Frequency distributions for rust infection pooled over 2 winter seasons for resistant x resistant parents were highly skewed with the majority of progenies grouped towards the resistant classes, whereas crosses between susceptible x highly susceptible parents tended to be skewed with the majority of progenies grouped towards the susceptible ones. Both categories of crosses produced transgressive segregants at either extremes. Distribution of infection within progeny of the selfed resistant parent ’R 570’ and distribution in the majority of crosses tended to support the hypothesis of a major gene with a dominant effect for resistance. However, the action of other minor genes acting in a quantitative way is also suggested. The female (F) and male (M) variance components were very important, and F×M interaction indicated the existence of non-additive genetic effects. F×S, M×S and F×M×S interaction mean squares were generally low or insignificant. Broad-sense heritability for the individual season ratings and for the combined ratings was high (0.75–0.90), whereas narrow-sense heritability was generally moderate (0.40–0.52) with the additive genetic effects accounting for 44–68% of the total genetic variation. The implications of these findings in the breeding for rust resistance in the local programme are discussed. Received: 2 June 1999 / Accepted: 22 June 1999     

Inheritance of resistance in maize silks to the corn earworm

The corn earworm,Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is a perennial economic pest of field crops in the United States. Maize,Zea mays L., is the major host crop promoting the build-up of devastating corn earworm populations that limit full production of cotton, soybean, peanut, and grain sorghum. Resistance to the corn earworm in maize and in particular sweet maize, would provide an environmentally safe, economical method of control for this pest insect. Antibiotic effects of corn silks on this insect are: small larvae, extended developmental period, and reduced fecundity. Silks from individual maize plants of resistant and susceptible lines and progeny in six generations consisting of parents (P₁, P₂), F₁, F₂, and backcrosses BC_1.1 (F₁ × P₁) and BC_1.2 (F₁ × P₂) from each of four crosses were used to determine the genetic basis of the antibiotic resistance of silks to the corn earworm. In the cross of Zapalote Chico × PI340856, genes controlling resistance in the silks to the corn earworm larvae are dominant in PI340856 to those in Zapalote Chico. The cross of Zapalote Chico × GT114 involves parents differing in degree of resistance, and possibly differing for the genetic mechanism by which the resistance is inherited. The inheritance of resistance may involve non-additive (dominance and epistasis) genetic variance. A digenic 6-parameter model indicated (1) the resistance in this cross is controlled by more than one pair of genes and (2) some or all of the genes interact to cause non-allelic interaction. Thus, the resistance in this cross may be controlled by both dominant and recessive genes. The resistance of Zapalote Chico × CI64, an intermediate inbred, is influenced by additive gene effects. The digenic model adequately predicts all generation means of the cross of GT3 × PI340856 except for the F1. Thus, it appears that the additive-dominance model is not satisfactory for this cross involving susceptible and resistant parents. Generation mean analysis indicates that resistance to silk-feeding by corn earworm larvae is under genetic control, but gene action differs from one type of cross to another.     

Genetic study of a lethal necrosis to soybean mosaic virus in PI 507389 soybean

PI 507389 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], a large-seeded line from Japan, exhibits a rapid, lethal, necrotic response to strains G1, G2, G5, and G6 of soybean mosaic virus (SMV). Unlike the hypersensitive necrotic reaction, this stem-tip necrosis can be a serious threat to soybean production. To investigate the genetic basis of lethal necrosis (LN), PI 507389 was crossed with the susceptible (S) cv. Lee 68 and with resistant (R) lines PI 96983, cv. York, and cv. Marshall, which carry single dominant genes for SMV resistance at the Rsv1 locus. F(1) plants, F(2) populations, and F(2:3) lines were inoculated with G1 and G6 in the greenhouse or in the field. Results indicated that LN is controlled by a single gene allelic to Rsv1, and this allele in PI 507389 is recessive to R alleles in PI 96983, York, and Marshall. The LN allele is codominant with the allele for S, for the heterozygotes showed a mixed phenotype of both necrosis (N) and mosaic (M) symptoms (NM). The LN allele becomes recessive to the S allele as the mixed NM shifts to S at a later stage in response to more virulent strains. The gene symbol Rsv1-n is assigned for the allele conferring LN in PI 507389. Rsv1-n is the only allele at the Rsv1 locus conditioning N to G1 and no R to any other SMV strains, and thus a unique genotype for SMV strain differentiation. The phenotypic expression of heterozygotes and the dominance relationships among R, N, and S depend on the virulence of SMV strains, source of alleles, and developmental stage.     

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     

The preconditioning effect of day-length and light intensity on adult plant resistance to powdery mildew in oats

Oat genotypes with partial resistance to mildew exhibited a higher level of adult plant resistance (a.p.r.) when grown in 16 h compared with 8 h day-length. This increased resistance was expressed in the upper leaves, and to some extent in the lower, earlier-developed leaves. The expression of increased resistance coincided with floral initiation in Maldwyn, but preceded it in CC4761. The development of a.p.r. and floral initiation were thus not inherently linked, but conditions which accelerated the plants' ontogeny also caused earlier expression of resistance. For the most efficient testing of breeding material, plants should be grown at long day-length and high light intensity. When plants are grown at 16 h day-length and constant temperature of 15 ^oC, the leaf segments should be inoculated at the 6 to 8 leaf stage because normally susceptible genotypes showed marked resistance when inoculated later.     

Rapid production of recombinant barley yellow mosaic virus resistant Hordeum vulgare lines by anther culture

Summary In a winter barley breeding program for barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) resistance, the resistant six-rowed cv. Franka was crossed to 17 susceptible and two resistant cultivars, three of which were tworowed. A total of 233,445 anthers of the 19 hybrids and their parents were cultured and 831 green plants regenerated. Anther culture responsiveness varied greatly between genotypes, and the responsiveness of F₁hybrids was generally related to that of the more responsive (high) parent. On average, 3.6 green plants were recovered from 1,000 cultured anthers, almost twice as many as in comparable spring barley experiments. Androgenetic green plants were tested for their reaction to mechanical inoculation of BaYMV. In crosses of resistant parents, all the cross progeny proved to be resistant, which indicates that both parents carry identical gene(s). In the crosses of the resistant cv. Franka to susceptible parents, an average of 62% of the androgenetic progenies were resistant, which indicates that probably more than one gene is responsible for Franka's BaYMV-resistance. From the crosses of Franka to two-rowed cultivars, 282 androgenetic plants were produced. When 132 of these were tested for their reaction to BaYMV, 79 (59.8%) were resistant, and 30 of the latter were shown to be two-rowed recombinant lines. Doubled haploid lines are field-tested for other agronomic characters including grain yield and its components.     

The construction of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum habrochaites</Emphasis> LYC4 introgression line population and the identification of QTLs for resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis cinerea</Emphasis>

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is susceptible to grey mold (Botrytis cinerea). Partial resistance to this fungus has been identified in accessions of wild relatives of tomato such as Solanum habrochaites LYC4. In a previous F₂ mapping study, three QTLs conferring resistance to B. cinerea (Rbcq1, Rbcq2 and Rbcq4a) were identified. As it was probable that this study had not identified all QTLs involved in resistance we developed an introgression line (IL) population (n = 30), each containing a S. habrochaites introgression in the S. lycopersicum cv. Moneymaker genetic background. On average each IL contained 5.2% of the S. habrochaites genome and together the lines provide an estimated coverage of 95%. The level of susceptibility to B. cinerea for each of the ILs was assessed in a greenhouse trial and compared to the susceptible parent S. lycopersicum cv. Moneymaker. The effect of the three previously identified loci could be confirmed and seven additional loci were detected. Some ILs contains multiple QTLs and the increased resistance to B. cinerea in these ILs is in line with a completely additive model. We conclude that this set of QTLs offers good perspectives for breeding of B. cinerea resistant cultivars and that screening an IL population is more sensitive for detection of QTLs conferring resistance to B. cinerea than the analysis in an F₂ population. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Methods to predict transgressive segregation in barley and other self-pollinated crops

Most of agronomically important characters are biometric traits. An improvement of these traits in cultivated plants by deriving segregants superior to parents, which could be developed as cultivars, is a main goal in breeding of self-pollinated crops. Two problems need to be solved: when will the progeny be better than its parents and how can a genetic potential of a given pair of parental genotypes be predicted? In this paper, transgressive segregation in homozygous barley populations is shortly reviewed. Various approaches to choosing parental forms are shown, and a theoretical method for predicting the frequency of transgressive segregants in a homozygous population is presented. Additionally, relationships between parental diversity estimated with molecular markers and the progeny performance are discussed. Although the prediction of transgressive segregation is still a problem, it seems promising to apply an approach measuring the performance of the parental genotypes and estimating their genetic distance by molecular markers.     

Study on inheritance of resistance to root aphid, Pemphigus bursarius, in lettuce

The inheritance of resistance to lettuce root aphid, Pemphigus bursarius, was studied in lettuce using the Wellesbourne cultivars Avondefiance and Avoncrisp as resistant parents and Borough Wonder and Webb's Wonderful as aphid-susceptible parents. All four cultivars were crossed in all possible combinations including reciprocals and the response to root aphid of plants in the P₁F₁F₂ and BC generations was assessed using apterae of P. bursarius from the lettuce cv. Iceberg. Resistance to attack was clearly inherited and the parents appeared to be homozygous for their resistance or susceptibility. In the F₁ generation, however, in all crosses between resistant and susceptible parents, segregation into susceptible, resistant and some slightly less resistant plants occurred. This and the highly significant differences in segregation between pairs of reciprocal crosses in the F₁ and other generations indicate that the inheritance of resistance to root aphid is controlled by extra-nuclear factors. Modifying genes might also be involved but there appears to be no linkage of root aphid resistance with resistance to downy mildew, for which the Wellesbourne lettuces were bred.     

A transgressive segregation factor (RKN2) in Gossypium barbadense for nematode resistance clusters with gene rkn1 in G. hirsutum

Host plant resistance is an important strategy for managing root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in cotton (Gossypium L.). Here we report evidence for enhanced resistance in interspecific crosses resulting from transgressive segregation of clustered gene loci. Recently, a major gene, rkn1, on chromosome 11 for resistance to M. incognita in cv. Acala NemX was identified using an intraspecific G. hirsutum cross with susceptible cv. Acala SJ-2. Using interspecific crosses of Acala NemX × susceptible G. barbadense cv. Pima S-7, F₁, F₂, F_2:3, backcross, and testcross Acala NemX × F₁ (Pima S-7 × SJ-2), parental entries and populations were inoculated in greenhouse tests with M. incognita. Genetic analyses based on nematode-induced root galling and nematode egg production on roots, and molecular marker analysis of the segregating interspecific populations revealed that gene rkn1 interacted with a gene (designated as RKN2) in susceptible Pima S-7 to produce a highly resistant phenotype. RKN2 did not confer resistance in Pima S-7, but when combined with rkn1 (genotype Aa or aa), high levels of resistance were produced in the F₁ and segregating F₂, F₃, and BC₁F₁ populations. One SSR marker MUCS088 was identified tightly linked to RKN2 within 4.4 cM in a NemX × F₁ (Pima S-7 × SJ-2) testcross population. Using mapped SSR markers and interspecific segregating populations, MUCS088 linked to the transgressive gene from the susceptible parent and was located in the vicinity of rkn1 on chromosome 11. Diverse genome analyses among A and D genome diploid and tetraploid cottons revealed that marker MUCS088 (165 and 167 bp) is derived from G. arboreum, A₂ diploid genome. These results demonstrated that a highly susceptible parent contributed to nematode resistance via transgressive segregation. Derived highly resistant lines can be used as improved resistance sources in cotton breeding, and MUCS088 can be used to monitor RKN2 introgression in diverse populations. The close genomic location of the transgressive resistance determinants provides an important model system for studying transgressive segregation and epistasis in plants.     

Genetic resistance to fowl cholera is linked to the major histocompatibility complex

Chickens of the Iowa State S1 line have been selected for ability to regress Rous sarcoma virus-induced (RSV) tumors, humoral immune response to GAT (Ir-GAT), and erythrocyte antigen B. Sublines homozygous at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), as well as F₁ heterozygotes and F₂ segregants, were tested for resistance to fowl cholera by challenge with Pasteurella multocida strain X73. Control of the response at high doses was associated in a preliminary study with Ir-GAT and response to RSV tumors. Genetic control of resistance to low doses of P. multocida was demonstrated via sublines and F₂ segregants to be linked with genes of the B-G region. Thus, genetic control of resistance to fowl cholera in chickens after exposure to Pasteurella multocida was shown to be linked to the major histocompatibility B complex, in this first demonstration of MHC-linked resistance to bacterial disease challenge.     

Identification and mapping of microsatellite markers linked to a root-knot nematode resistance gene (rkn1) in Acala NemX cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Host-plant resistance is the most economic and effective strategy for root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita control in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Molecular markers linked to resistance are important for incorporating resistance genes into elite cultivars. To screen for microsatellite markers (SSR) closely linked to RKN resistance in G. hirsutum cv. Acala NemX, F₁, F₂, BC₁F₁, and F_2:7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from intraspecific crosses and an F₂ from an interspecific cross with G. barbadense cv. Pima S-7 were used. Screening of 284 SSR markers, which cover all the known identified chromosomes and most linkage groups of cotton, was performed by bulked segregant analysis, revealing informative SSRs. The informative SSRs were then mapped on the above populations. One co-dominant SSR marker CIR316 was identified tightly linked to a major resistance gene (designated as rkn1), producing amplified DNA fragments of approximately 221 bp (CIR316a) and 210 bp (CIR316c) in Acala NemX and susceptible Acala SJ-2, respectively. The linkage between CIR316a marker and resistance gene rkn1 in Acala NemX had an estimated distance of 2.1–3.3 cM depending on the population used. Additional markers, including BNL1231 with loose linkage to rkn1 (map distance 25.1–27.4 cM), BNL1066, and CIR003 allowed the rkn1 gene to be mapped to cotton linkage group A03. This is the first report in cotton with a closely linked major gene locus determining nematode resistance, and informative SSRs may be used for marker-assisted selection.