Molecular characterization of the genomic region harboring the BYDV-resistance geneBdv2 in wheat

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) can cause significant losses of wheat worldwide. The long arm segment ofThinopyrum intermedium chromosome 7Ai#1 carrying the BYDV resistance geneBdv2 was translocated to the distal region of the long arm of wheat chromosome 7D in translocation line Yw642. In this study, 40 wheat EST sequences located in the distal region of 7DL were explored to identify specific PCR markers for theBdv2 region on the basis of the homoeologous relationship between wheat chromosome 7D and Th.intermedium chromosome 7Ai# 1. Our results revealed 8 novel EST-PCR markers specific to theBdv2 region, including 5 EST-STS markers of BE404744, BE498985, BE591497, BG606695 and BQ161842, and 3 EST-SSCP markers of BE404953, BG312663 and BE498985. These EST-PCR markers could distinguishBdv2 from another BYDV-resistance gene located onTh.intermedium chromosome 2Ai-2. These specific bands for theBdv2 region were further cloned and sequenced. The sequencing analysis indicated that the specific sequences for theBdv2 region were highly homologous with the original wheat EST sequences that were used to design primers, and encode respectively a protein kinase, P450, centrin, transducin, and a hypothetical protein. This study created a starting point for eventual cloning of theBdv2 gene and understanding the defense mechanism.     

Development of EST-PCR markers for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thinopyrum intermedium</Emphasis> chromosome 2Ai#2 and their application in characterization of novel wheat-grass recombinants

A series of expressed sequence tags-derived polymerase chain reaction (EST-PCR) markers specific to chromosome 2Ai#2 from Thinopyrum intermedium were developed in this study using a new integrative approach. The target alien chromosome confers high resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), which is a severe virus disease in wheat. To generate markers evenly distributed on 2Ai#2, a total of 105 primer pairs were designed based on mapped ESTs from 8 bins of wheat chromosome 2B with intron-prediction by aligning ESTs with genomic sequences of the new model plant Brachypodium distachyon. Eight and seven polymorphic markers on the short arm and the long arm of chromosome 2Ai#2, respectively, were obtained with a polymorphism rate of 14.3%. These chromosome 2Ai#2-specific EST-PCR markers were then used in tracing and exploring the structural variation of the alien chromosome in the population derived from the immature embryo culture of the cross between N452, a 2Ai#2(2D) substitution line, and common wheat CB037. Two centric fusion of translocations involving 2Ai#2 short or long arm with wheat chromosome 2D and some new genetic stocks including telosomes with the alien chromosome short or long arm were identified in the SC₃ generations, which provided basic materials to further study the mechanism of the BYDV resistance. BYDV tests in two field seasons suggest that the BYDV resistance was mainly conferred by the short arm, gene interaction on both arms of the alien chromosome was discussed.     

Structural organization of an alien Thinopyrum intermedium group 7 chromosome in U.S. soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance in soft red winter wheat (SRWW) cultivars has been achieved by substituting a group 7 chromosome from Thinopyrum intermedium for chromosome 7D. To localize BYDV resistance, a detailed molecular genetic analysis was done on the alien group 7 Th. intermedium chromosome to determine its structural organization. Triticeae group 7 RFLP markers and rye specific repetitive sequences used in the analysis showed that the alien chromosome in the P29 substitution line has distinguishing features. The 350-480 bp rye telomeric sequence family was present on the long arm as determined by Southern and fluorescence in situ hybridization. However, further analysis using a rye dispersed repetitive sequence indicated that this alien chromosome does not contain introgressed segments from the rye genome. The alien chromosome is homoeologous to wheat chromosomes 7A and 7D as determined by RFLP analysis. Presence of the waxy gene on chromosomes 7A, 7B, and 7D but its absence on the alien chromosome in P29 suggests some internal structural differences on the short arm between Th. intermedium and wheat group 7 chromosomes. The identification of rye telomeric sequences on the alien Thinopyrum chromosome and the homoeology to wheat chromosomes 7A and 7D provide the necessary information and tools to analyze smaller segments of the Thinopyrum chromosome and to localize BYDV resistance in SRWW cultivars.     

Trigenomic chromosomes by recombination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thinopyrum intermedium </Emphasis>and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Th. ponticum </Emphasis>translocations in wheat

Rusts and barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) are among the main diseases affecting wheat production world wide for which wild relatives have been the source of a number of translocations carrying resistance genes. Nevertheless, along with desirable traits, alien translocations often carry deleterious genes. We have generated recombinants in a bread wheat background between two alien translocations: TC5, ex-Thinopyrum (Th) intermedium, carrying BYDV resistance gene Bdv2; and T4m, ex-Th. ponticum, carrying rust resistance genes Lr19 and Sr25. Because both these translocations are on the wheat chromosome arm 7DL, homoeologous recombination was attempted in the double hemizygote (TC5/T4m) in a background homozygous for the ph1b mutation. The identification of recombinants was facilitated by the use of newly developed molecular markers for each of the alien genomes represented in the two translocations and by studying derived F₂, F₃ and doubled haploid populations. The occurrence of recombination was confirmed with molecular markers and bioassays on families of testcrosses between putative recombinants and bread wheat, and in F₂ populations derived from the testcrosses. As a consequence it has been possible to derive a genetic map of markers and resistance genes on these previously fixed alien linkage blocks. We have obtained fertile progeny carrying new tri-genomic recombinant chromosomes. Furthermore we have demonstrated that some of the recombinants carried resistance genes Lr19 and Bdv2 yet lacked the self-elimination trait associated with shortened T4 segments. We have also shown that the recombinant translocations are fixed and stable once removed from the influence of the ph1b. The molecular markers developed in this study will facilitate selection of individuals carrying recombinant Th. intermedium–Th. ponticum translocations (Pontin series) in breeding programs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Thinopyrum 7Ai-1-derived small chromatin with Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) resistance gene integrated into the wheat genome with retrotransposon

Thinopyrum intermedium is a useful source of resistance genes for Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), one of the most damaging wheat diseases. In this study, wheat/Th. intermedium translocation lines with a BYDV resistance gene were developed using the Th. intermedium 7Ai-1 chromosome. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), using a Th. intermedium total genomic DNA probe, enabled detection of 7Ai-1-derived small chro-matins containing a BYDV resistance gene, which were translocated onto the end of wheat chromosomes in the lines Y95011 and Y960843. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses using 120 random 10-mer primers were conducted to compare the BYDV-resistant translocation lines with susceptible lines. Two primers amplified the DNA fragments specific to the resistant line that would be useful as molecular markers to identify 7Ai-1-derived BYDV resistance chromatin in the wheat genome. Additionally, the isolated Th. intermedium-specific retrotransposon-like sequence pTi28 can be used to identify Th. intermedium chromatin transferred to the wheat genome.     

Introgression and characterization of barley yellow dwarf virus resistance from Thinopyrum intermedium into wheat.

Wheatgrasses (species of Agropyron complex) have previously been reported to be resistant to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). To introgress this resistance into wheat, Triticum aestivum x Thinopyrum (Agropyron) intermedium hybrids were advanced through a backcrossing program and reaction to BYDV, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), is reported for the first time in backcross populations of wide hybrids between wheat and wheatgrasses. ELISA values revealed highly resistant to highly susceptible segregants in backcrosses. BYDV resistance was expressed in some backcross derivatives. Continued selection, based on cytology and ELISA in each generation, eliminated most of the unwanted wheatgrass chromosomes and produced self-fertile BYDV resistant wheat lines. The BYDV resistant lines with 2n = 42 had normal chromosome pairing similar to wheat, and their F1 hybrids with wheat had two univalents. DNA analyses showed that the source of alien chromatin in these BYDV resistant wheat lines is distinguishable from that in other Th. intermedium derived BYDV resistant wheat lines. Chromosome pairing and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses indicated that the 42 chromosome resistant Purdue wheat lines are substitution lines in which chromosome 7D was replaced by a chromosome from Th. intermedium that was carrying gene(s) for BYDV resistance.     

兼抗抗白粉病和黄矮病小麦育种材料的创造与鉴定

白粉病和黄矮病是小麦生产上的重要病害,近几年来这两种病害经常在我国一些小麦产区同时发生。为解决该问题,本研究通过杂交、回交方法将抗黄矮病的Bdv2基因（源自于YW642）和抗白粉病的Pm21基因（源自于CB037）聚合在一起,育成了兼抗黄矮病和白粉病的小麦新材料。通过田间抗病性鉴定与分子标记辅助选择相结合,得到聚合了Bdv2基因和Pm21基因的BC1代小麦22株,F2代小麦51株。农艺性状调查显示,这些含Pm21和Bdv2基因的双抗白粉病和黄矮病小麦新材料的农艺性状优于感病植株和原先的亲本,可以在小麦白粉病和黄矮病兼性抗病育种中作为优异种质资源加以利用。     

The Pontin series of recombinant alien translocations in bread wheat: single translocations integrating combinations of Bdv2, Lr19 and Sr25 disease-resistance genes from Thinopyrum intermedium and Th. ponticum

Two bread wheat lines each with a translocation on chromosome 7DL from either Thinopyrum intermedium (TC5 and TC14) or Thinopyrum ponticum (T4m), were hybridized in a ph1b mutant background to enhance recombination between the two translocated chromosomal segments. The frequency of recombinants was high in lines derived from the larger and similar-sized translocations (TC5/T4m), but much lower when derived from different-sized translocations (TC14/T4m). Recombinant translocations contained combinations of resistance genes Bdv2, Lr19 and Sr25 conferring resistance to Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), leaf rust and stem rust, respectively. Their genetic composition was identified using bioassays and molecular markers specific for the two progenitor Thinopyrum species. This set of 7DL Th. ponticum/intermedium recombinant translocations was termed the Pontin series. In addition to Thinopyrum markers, the size of the translocation was estimated with the aid of wheat markers mapped on each of the 7DL deletion bins. Bioassays for BYDV, leaf rust and stem rust were performed under greenhouse and field conditions. Once separated from ph1b background, the Pontin recombinant translocations were stable and showed normal inheritance in successive backcrosses. The reported Pontin translocations integrate important resistance genes in a single linkage block which will allow simultaneous selection of disease resistance. Combinations of Bdv2 + Lr19 or Lr19 + Sr25 in both long and short translocations, are available to date. The smaller Pontins, comprising only 20 % of the distal portion of 7DL, will be most attractive to breeders.     

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of wheat--Thinopyrum elongatum addition, substitution and translocation lines with a novel source of resistance to wheat Fusarium Head Blight

Thinopyrum elongatum(2n = 2x = 14,EE),a wild relative of wheat,has been suggested as a potentially novel source of resistance to several major wheat diseases including Fusarium Head Blight(FHB).In this study,a series of wheat(cv.Chinese Spring,CS) substitution and ditelosomic lines,including Th.elongatum additions,were assessed for TypeⅡresistance to FHB.Results indicated that the lines containing chromosome 7E of Th.elongatum gave a high level of resistance to FHB,wherein the infection did not spread beyond the inoculated floret.Furthermore,it was determined that the novel resistance gene(s) of 7E was located on the short-arm(7ES) based on sharp difference in FHB resistance between the two 7E ditelosomic lines for each arm.On the other hand,Th.elongatum chromosomes 5E and 6E likely contain gene(s) for susceptibility to FHB because the disease spreads rapidly within the inoculated spikes of these lines. Genomic in situ hybridization(GISH) analysis revealed that the alien chromosomes in the addition and substitution lines were intact,and the lines did not contain discernible genomic aberrations.GISH and multicolor-GISH analyses were further performed on three translocation lines that also showed high levels of resistance to FHB.Lines TA3499 and TA3695 were shown to contain one pair of wheat-Th. elongatum translocated chromosomes involving fragments of 7D plus a segment of the 7E,while line TA3493 was found to contain one pair of wheat-Th.elongatum translocated chromosomes involving the D- and A-genome chromosomes of wheat.Thus,this study has established that the short-arm of chromosome 7E of Th.elongatum harbors gene(s) highly resistant to the spreading of FHB,and chromatin of 7E introgressed into wheat chromosomes largely retained the resistance,implicating the feasibility of using these lines as novel material for breeding FHB-resistant wheat cultivars.     

Molecular characterization of a Thinopyrum intermedium group 2 chromosome (2Ai-2) conferring resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus.

The wheat--Thinopyrum intermedium addition lines Z1 and Z2 carry 21 pairs of wheat chromosomes and one pair of Th. intermedium chromosomes (2Ai-2) conferring resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). GISH results using the genomic DNA of Pseudoroegneria strigosa (S genome) as the probe indicated that the 2Ai-2 chromosome in Z1 and Z2 is an S-J intercalary translocation. Most of the 2Ai-2 chromosome belongs to the S genome, except for about one third in the middle region of the long arm that belongs to the J genome. The results of detailed RFLP analyses confirmed that the 2Ai-2 chromosome is extensively homoeologous to wheat group 2 chromosomes. Some new RFLP markers specific to the 2Ai-2 chromosome were identified. A RAPD marker, OP-R16(340), specific to the 2Ai-2 chromosome, was screened. We converted the RAPD marker into a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker (designated SC-R16). The study establishes the basis for selecting translocation lines with small segments of the 2Ai-2 chromosome and localizing the BYDV resistance gene when introgressed into a wheat background.     

Characterization of derivatives from wheat-Thinopyrum wide crosses

Partial amphiploids are lines that contain 42 (38-42) wheat and 14 (14-18) alien chromosomes. They are derived by backcrossing wheat onto hybrids between wheat and either Thinopyrum intermedium (6x) or Th. ponticum (10x). GISH analysis has shown that, with possibly one exception, the alien genomes (chromosome sets) in partial amphiploids are found to be hybrids i.e. composed of chromosomes from more than one alien genome. The individual partial amphiploids are meiotically stable and nearly perfectly fertile, but hybrids between different lines were characterized by varying numbers of unpaired chromosomes and consequently variable degrees of sterility. Translocated chromosomes involving different Thinopyrum genomes or Thinopyrum and wheat genomes were found in partial amphiploids and consequently in the addition lines derived from them. Partial amphiploids have proven to be an excellent tertiary gene pool for wheat improvement, containing resistance to biotic stresses not present in wheat itself. Resistance to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) and Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV) have been found in partial amphiploids and addition lines derived from both Th. intermedium and Th. ponticum. Excellent resistance to Fusarium head blight has been found on a Th. intermedium chromosome that had substituted for chromosome 2D in wheat. Genes for resistance to leaf rust and stem rust have already been incorporated into wheat and tagged with molecular markers.     

The use of cell culture for subchromosomal introgressions of barley yellow dwarf virus resistance from Thinopyrum intermedium to wheat.

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance has been transferred to wheat from a group 7 chromosome of Thinopyrum (Agropyron) intermedium. The source of the resistance gene was the L1 disomic addition line, which carries the 7Ai-1 chromosome. The resistance locus is on the long arm of this chromosome. BYDV resistant recombinant lines were identified after three or more generations of selection against a group 7 Th. intermedium short arm marker (red coleoptile) and selection for the presence of BYDV resistance. One recombinant line produced by ph. mutant induced homoeologous pairing and 14 recombinant lines induced by cell culture have been identified. Resistance in seven of the cell culture induced recombinants has been inherited via pollen according to Mendelian segregation ratios for up to eight generations. Meiotic analysis of heterozygotes indicates that the alien chromatin in the cell culture induced recombinants is small enough to allow regular meiotic behaviour. The ph-induced recombinant was less regular in meiosis. A probe, pEleAcc2, originally isolated from Th. elongatum and that hybridizes to dispersed repeated DNA sequences, was utilised to detect Th. intermedium chromatin, which confers resistance to BYDV, in wheat backgrounds. Quantification of these hybridization signals indicated that the translocations involved a portion of alien chromatin that was smaller than the complete long arm of 7Ai-1. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis confirmed the loss of the short arm of 7Ai-1 and indicated the retention of segments of the long arm of 7Ai-1. Two 7Ai-1L DNA markers always assorted with the BYDV resistance. A third 7Ai-IL DNA marker was also present in seven of eight recombinants. In all recombinants except TC7, the 7Ai-1L markers replaced the 7DL markers. None of the wheat group 7 markers was missing from TC7. It is concluded that all the resistant lines are the result of recombination with wheat chromosome 7D, except line TC7, which is the result of recombination with an unidentified nongroup 7 chromosome.     

抗黄矮病小麦新品系YW443的分子细胞遗传学鉴定

以小麦－中间偃麦草二体附加系Ｌ１衍生抗病系ＰＰ９－１为抗源,与小麦推广品种陕７８５９．丰抗８号杂交并自交,在Ｆ６代中选到农艺性状优良的高抗黄矮病小麦新品系ＹＷ４４３。对ＹＷ４４３及其亲本进行抗病性鉴定。结果表明：ＹＷ４４３高抗大麦黄矮病毒ＧＰＶ、ＧＡＶ株系。利用基因组原位杂交,ＲＦＬＰ分析和ＲＡＰＤ分析,研究诉遗传构成及其抗病基因染色体归属。结果表明：ＹＷ４４３（２ｎ＝４３）的遗传构成了４０条（２     

Mapping of a BYDV resistance gene fromThinopyrum intermedium in wheat background by molecular markers

The wheat line H960642 is a homozygous wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium translocation line with resistance to BYDV by genomicin situ hybridization (GISH) and RFLP analysis. The genomic DNA ofTh. intermedium was used as a probe, and common wheat genomic DNA as a blocking in GISH experiment. The results showed that the chromosome segments ofTh. intermedium were transferred to the distal end of a pair of wheat chromosomes. RFLP analysis indicated that the translocation line H960642 is a T7DS-7DL-7XL translocation by using 8 probes mapped on the homoeologous group 7 in wheat. The translocation breakpoint is located between Xpsr680 and Xpsr965 about 90–99 cM from the centromere. The RFLP markers psr680 and psr687 were closely linked with the BYDV resistance gene. The gene is located on the distal end of 7XL around Xpsr680 and Xpsr687.     

携带抗黄矮病基因的中间偃麦草染色体2Ai_2特异的分子标记

The wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium addition lines Z1,Z2 contain a pair of Th. intermedium chromosomes 2Ai-2 carrying the gene with resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was used to analyze the chromosome constitution of Z1,Z2 by using genomic DNA probes from Th. intermedium and Pseudoroegneria strigosa. The results showed that the chromosome constitution of either Z1 or Z2 composes of 42 wheat chromosomes and two Th. intermedium chromosomes (2Ai-2). The 2Ai-2 chromosome is St-E intercalary translocation, in which the E genomic chromosome segment translocated into the middle region of the long arm of chromosome belonging to St genome. With the genomic DNA probe of Ps. strigosa, the GISH pattern specific to the 2Ai-2 chromosome may be used as a molecular cytogenetic marker. A detailed RFLP analysis on Z1, Z2 and their parents was carried out by using 12 probes on the wheat group 2 chromosomes. Twenty RFLP markers specific to the 2Ai-2 chromosome were identified. Two RAPD markers of OPR16 –350 and OPH09 -1580, specific to the 2Ai-2 chromosome, were identified from 280 RAPD primers. These molecular markers could be used to assisted-select translocation lines with small segment of the 2Ai-2 chromosome and provide tools to localize the BYDV resistance.     

Development of novel PCR markers linked to the BYDV resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bdv2</Emphasis> useful in wheat for marker-assisted selection

The distal segment of the long arm of the Thinopyrum intermedium chromosome 7Ai1 carries the barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance gene Bdv2. This segment was transferred to the distal region of the long arm of wheat chromosome 7D in the Yw series of translocation lines by using the ph1b mutant to induce homoeologous pairing. To transfer Bdv2 to commercial varieties, we developed two resistance gene-analog polymorphism (RGAP) markers, Tgp-1₃₅₀ and Tgp-2₂₁₀, and one randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker, OPD04₁₃₀₀. The diagnostic fragments of the RGAP marker Tgp-1₃₅₀ and the RAPD marker OPD04₁₃₀₀ were cloned, sequenced and converted into sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers, named SC-gp1 and SC-D04, respectively. SC-gp1 and SC-D04 were validated based on available translocation lines and segregating F₂ individuals. Our results indicated that the SCAR markers co-segregated with the BYDV resistance associated with Bdv2. Therefore, they can be used as a low-cost, high-throughput alternative to conventional phenotypic screening in wheat-breeding programs exploiting Bdv2. The marker-assisted selection for BYDV resistance was successfully performed in a wheat-breeding program.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

携带抗黄矮病基因的中间偃麦草染色体2Ai—2特异的分子标记

小麦－中间偃麦草二体异附加系Ｚ１、Ｚ２具有一对携带抗黄矮病基因的中间偃麦草染色体２Ａｉ－２。利用中间偃麦草（Ｔｈｉｎｏｐｙｒｕｍ ｉｎｔｅｒｍｅｄｉｕｍ （Ｈｏｓｔ） Ｂａｋｗｏｔｈ ａｎｄ Ｄｅｗｅｙ）和拟鹅冠草（Ｐｓｅｕｄｏｒｏｅｇｎｅｉａ ｓｔｒｉｇｏｓａ）基因组ＤＮＡ作探针,对Ｚ１、Ｚ２进行基因组原位杂交分析。结果表明,Ｚ１、Ｚ２附加的一对中间偃麦草染色体２Ａｉ－２为Ｓｔ－Ｅ染色体,Ｅ组染     

A single wheatgrass chromosome reduces the concentration of barley yellow dwarf virus in wheat

Seedlings of a series of addition or substitution lines of wheat containing different Thinopyrum intermedium chromosomes were inoculated with the PAV and RPV serotypes of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). Reduced virus titres in infected plants were ascribed to a single pair of homoeologous group 7 chromosomes from Th. intermedium in the disomic addition lines L1 and TAF 2. The group 7 chromosome is associated with red pigmentation of coleoptiles, which was also observed in two lines ditelosomic for the α arm of the chromosome. However, when infected with the PAV serotype of BYDV, the ditelosomic lines had normal virus titres and it is concluded that potential determinants of BYDV resistance are located on the β arm of the Group 7 chromosome.     

Mapping of a BYDV resistance gene from Thinopyrum intermedium in wheat background by molecular markers

The wheat line H960642 is a homozygous wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium translocation line with resistance to BYDV by genomicin situ hybridization (GISH) and RFLP analysis. The genomic DNA ofTh. intermedium was used as a probe, and common wheat genomic DNA as a blocking in GISH experiment. The results showed that the chromosome segments ofTh. intermedium were transferred to the distal end of a pair of wheat chromosomes. RFLP analysis indicated that the translocation line H960642 is a T7DS-7DL-7XL translocation by using 8 probes mapped on the homoeologous group 7 in wheat. The translocation breakpoint is located between Xpsr680 and Xpsr965 about 90–99 cM from the centromere. The RFLP markers psr680 and psr687 were closely linked with the BYDV resistance gene. The gene is located on the distal end of 7XL around Xpsr680 and Xpsr687. Project supported by the 863 program and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 39680027).     

Molecular markers show a complex mosaic pattern of wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium translocations carrying resistance to YDV

Thinopyrum intermedium translocations derived from the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) substitution line P-29 were previously characterized by RFLP. We have further analyzed these lines and additional related germplasm with publicly available STS and SSRs. Primers which showed a polymorphism between wheat and P-29, were tested in all recombinant and nulli-tetrasomic lines confirming their position on chromosome 7D. The resulting 7D/7E chromosome maps appeared as a mosaic of wheat and Th. intermedium chromatin sections. To verify the composition of the translocation lines suggested by the RFLP-PCR map, F₂ progeny of two crosses (CS/216-1 and CS/260-1) were analyzed with molecular markers. Both populations gave an unexpectedly diverse number of recombinant individuals, suggesting that interstitial translocations occur more frequently than previously thought. This analysis also showed that there is a wide range in the number and position of the interstitial translocations within a given line such as the mosaic chromosome in recombinant line 260-1/CS-26, which has four Th. intermedium chromosome segments. Phenotypic data of the two populations suggested the presence of one gene which we have called Bdv3 to differentiate it from the previously reported orthologous gene Bdv2. Using the PCR-based molecular markers identified in this study, 5 out of 12 elite lines that showed good yields and no YDV symptoms contained Th. intermedium chromatin. Due to the multiple components involved in the YDV disease complex, combining selection for YDV resistance with the molecular markers and maps identified in this study will increase the efficiency of introgressing Th. intermedium chromatin containing YDV resistance or other beneficial traits into elite wheat germplasm.