Molecular Characterization of Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in U.S. Soft Red Winter Wheat Breeding Line VA00W‐38

Abstract

ABSTRACTMany quantitative trait loci (QTL) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) conferring resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the Fusarium graminearium, have been mapped in diverse genetic sources. Use of nonadapted FHB resistant sources by breeding programs in the soft red winter (SRW) wheat region of the United States has not been very successful. Therefore, native sources of FHB resistance identified or validated in SRW wheat cultivars predominantly have been used. The breeding line VA00W‐38 has moderate FHB resistance and does not possess any previously identified exotic sources of resistance in its parentage. A set of 182 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed from the cross VA00W‐38 × Pioneer brand ‘26R46’ and tested in field scab nurseries and natural conditions in two environments for each of 2 yr. Eight consistent QTL were identified on chromosomes 1BL, 2A, 2DL, 5B, 6A, and 7A and explained 6.5 to 21.3% of phenotypic variation of traits associated with FHB resistance. Their logarithm of odds (LOD) scores ranged from 2.5 to 6.7. Favorable alleles to decrease FHB are from VA00W‐38 except one QTL on chromosome 7A. Major QTL on chromosomes 2DL, 6A, and 5B decreased FHB index (IND), Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK), and deoxynivalenol (DON), respectively. Tightly linked markers identified for these consistent QTL can be used to select for favorable alleles associated with FHB resistance in breeding populations after validation in diverse genetic backgrounds.