Genetic mapping and QTL analysis of Botrytis resistance in Gerbera hybrida

Yiqian Fu,Paul Arens,Ronny Egberts,Martin Beers,Arwa Shahin,Alex van Silfhout,Adrie van Houten,Richard G. F. Visser,Jaap M. van Tuyl,Ans van der Velde

doi:10.1007/s11032-016-0617-1

Yiqian Fu, Paul Arens + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-016-0617-1

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Abstract

Gerbera hybrida is an economically important cut flower. In the production and transportation of gerbera with unavoidable periods of high relative humidity, grey mould occurs and results in losses in quality and quantity of flowers. Considering the limitations of chemical use in greenhouses and the impossibility to use these chemicals in auction or after sale, breeding for resistant gerbera cultivars is considered as the best practical approach. In this study, we developed two segregating F1 populations (called S and F). Four parental linkage maps were constructed using common and parental specific SNP markers developed from expressed sequence tag sequencing. Parental genetic maps, containing 30, 29, 27 and 28 linkage groups and a consensus map covering 24 of the 25 expected chromosomes, could be constructed. After evaluation of Botrytis disease severity using three different tests, whole inflorescence, bottom (of disc florets) and ray floret, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was performed using the four individual parental maps. A total of 20 QTLs (including one identical QTL for whole inflorescence and bottom tests) were identified in the parental maps of the two populations. The number of QTLs found and the explained variance of most QTLs detected reflect the complex mechanism of Botrytis disease response.

Highlights

Gerbera hybrida belongs to the Compositae family and is known for its abundant flower colours, capitula sizes and shapes
Necrotic lesions in early infection occur on flower buds and ray florets and these symptoms are strengthened when flowers are packed in boxes, in which a high relative humidity develops during cold storage and transport (Bastiaan-Net et al 2007; Kerssies 1993a; Kerssies 1993b; Salinas and Verhoeff 1995)
Control of gerbera grey mould in greenhouses frequently relies on spraying chemicals (Prins et al 2000), but using chemicals may cause environmental issues and increase resistance to fungicides (Leroux 2007) whereas the use of some compounds has been restricted and banned in a number of countries

Summary

Introduction

Gerbera hybrida belongs to the Compositae family and is known for its abundant flower colours, capitula sizes and shapes. During gerbera cultivation especially in winter and during the process of post-harvest transportation, the high relative. Gerbera grey mould is caused by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, a notorious fungal pathogen with a wide range of plant host species (Elad et al 2016). Control of gerbera grey mould in greenhouses frequently relies on spraying chemicals (Prins et al 2000), but using chemicals may cause environmental issues and increase resistance to fungicides (Leroux 2007) whereas the use of some compounds has been restricted and banned in a number of countries. Quality loss due to gerbera grey mould occurring in post-harvest (in auction or after sale) transport is hard to avoid by chemical treatments, affecting both the buyer (reduction in profits) and the seller (a breeder’s reputation) (Bastiaan-Net et al 2007). Breeding for Botrytis resistant varieties is needed to reduce current and future problems due to this devastating pathogen in gerbera

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