A nested association mapping population identifies multiple small effect QTL conferring resistance against net blotch (Pyrenophora teres f. teres) in wild barley.

Thomas Vatter,Klaus Pillen,Doris Kopahnke,Frank Ordon,Dragan Perovic,Andreas Maurer

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0186803

Thomas Vatter, Klaus Pillen + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186803

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Abstract

The net form of net blotch caused by the necrotrophic fungus Pyrenophora teres f. teres is a major disease of barley, causing high yield losses and reduced malting and feed quality. Exploiting the allelic richness of wild barley proved to be a valuable tool to broaden the genetic base of resistance of modern elite cultivars. In this study, a SNP-based nested association mapping (NAM) study was conducted to map QTL for P. teres resistance in the barley population HEB-25 comprising 1,420 lines derived from BC1S3 generation. By scoring the percentage of infected leaf area followed by calculation of the average ordinate (AO) and scoring of the reaction type (RT) in two-year field trials a large variability of net blotch resistance across and within families of HEB-25 was observed. Genotype response to net blotch infection showed a range of 48.2% for AO (0.9–49.1%) and 6.4 for RT (2.2–8.6). NAM based on 5,715 informative SNPs resulted in the identification of 24 QTL for resistance against net blotch. Out of these, six QTL are considered novel showing no correspondence to previously reported QTL for net blotch resistance. Overall, variation of net blotch resistance in HEB-25 turned out to be controlled by small effect QTL. Results indicate the presence of alleles in HEB-25 differing in their effect on net blotch resistance. Results provide valuable information regarding the genetic architecture of the complex barley-P. teres f. teres interaction as well as for the improvement of net blotch resistance of elite barley cultivars.

Highlights

The net form of net blotch caused by the necrotrophic fungus Pyrenophora teres f. teres is a major disease of barley worldwide
A wide range of genotype responses to P. teres f. teres infection was observed in HEB-25 with a range of 48.2% for average ordinate (AO) (0.95–49.1%) and 6.4 for reaction type (RT) (2.21–8.64), respectively (Table 1)
The high variation in P. teres f. teres infection severity observed in field trials clearly reflects the high genetic diversity present within the HEB-25 population, which is in line with findings of previous HEB-25 nested association mapping (NAM) studies focusing on developmental traits [49, 50] and salinity tolerance [51]

Summary

Introduction

The net form of net blotch caused by the necrotrophic fungus Pyrenophora teres f. teres is a major disease of barley worldwide. The net form of net blotch caused by the necrotrophic fungus Pyrenophora teres f. Teres is a major disease of barley worldwide. Infections can cause high yield losses typically ranging from 10 to 40% with the potential to result in total yield loss if susceptible cultivars are grown [1, 2]. Infection results in a reduction of kernel size, plumpness, and bulk density, negatively affecting malting and feed quality [3]. Teres) resistance in a wild barley NAM population variation to crop improvement” grants PI339/7-1 and PI339/7-2. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

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