Powdery Mildew Response Research Articles

QTL Mapping of Adult Plant Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Chinese Wheat Landrace Baidatou.

Wheat powdery mildew, caused by the biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is one of the most devastating diseases affecting wheat throughout the world. Breeding and growing resistant wheat cultivars is one of the most economic and effective methods to control the disease, and as such, identifying and mapping the new and effective resistance genes is critical. Baidatou, a Chinese wheat landrace, shows excellent field resistance to powdery mildew. To identify the resistance gene(s) in Baidatou, 170 F7:8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross Mingxian 169/Baidatou were evaluated for powdery mildew response at the adult-plant stage in the experimental fields in Yangling (YL) of Shaanxi Province and Tianshui (TS) in Gansu Province in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The relative area under disease progress curve (rAUDPC) of Mingxian 169/Baidatou F7:8 RILs indicated that the resistance of Baidatou to powdery mildew was controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Based on bulk segregation analysis combined with the 660K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and genotyping by target sequencing (16K SNP) of the entire RIL population, two QTLs, QPmbdt.nwafu-2AS and QPmbdt.nwafu-3AS, were identified, and these accounted for up to 44.5% of the phenotypic variation. One of the QTLs was located on the 3.32 cM genetic interval on wheat chromosome 2AS between the kompetitive allele-specific PCR markers AX-111012288 and AX_174233809, and another was located on the 9.6 cM genetic interval on chromosome 3AS between the SNP markers 3A_684044820 and 3A_686681822. These markers could be useful for successful breeding of powdery mildew resistance in wheat.

Cytogenetic and Molecular Marker Analyses of a Novel Wheat-Psathyrostachys huashanica 7Ns Disomic Addition Line with Powdery Mildew Resistance.

Powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici is a devastating disease that reduces wheat yield and quality worldwide. The exploration and utilization of new resistance genes from wild wheat relatives is the most effective strategy against this disease. Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng f. ex P. C. Kuo (2n = 2x = 14, NsNs) is an important tertiary gene donor with multiple valuable traits for wheat genetic improvement, especially disease resistance. In this study, we developed and identified a new wheat—P. huashanica disomic addition line, 18-1-5—derived from a cross between P. huashanica and common wheat lines Chinese Spring and CSph2b. Sequential genomic and multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses revealed that 18-1-5 harbored 21 pairs of wheat chromosomes plus a pair of alien Ns chromosomes. Non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization and molecular marker analyses further demonstrated that the alien chromosomes were derived from chromosome 7Ns of P. huashanica. The assessment of powdery mildew response revealed that line 18-1-5 was highly resistant at the adult stage to powdery mildew pathogens prevalent in China. The evaluation of agronomic traits indicated that 18-1-5 had a significantly reduced plant height and an increased kernel length compared with its wheat parents. Using genotyping-by-sequencing technology, we developed 118 PCR-based markers specifically for chromosome 7Ns of P. huashanica and found that 26 of these markers could be used to distinguish the genomes of P. huashanica and other wheat-related species. Line 18-1-5 can therefore serve as a promising bridging parent for wheat disease resistance breeding. These markers should be conducive for the rapid, precise detection of P. huashanica chromosomes and chromosomal segments carrying Pm resistance gene(s) during marker-assisted breeding and for the investigation of genetic differences and phylogenetic relationships among diverse Ns genomes and other closely related ones.

Isolation and functional validation of the VvZFP11 promoter associated with a signaling molecule and powdery mildew responses in grapevine

• Overexpression of VvZFP11 improves powdery mildew resistance in grapes. • The PME element of the VvZFP11 gene is essential for its function. • The VvZFP11 gene enables plants to acquire resistance by affecting the salicylic acid signaling pathway. VvZFP11 is up-regulated by powdery mildew (PM), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and salicylic acid (SA) treatment, yet the underlying transcriptional regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a powdery mildew response element (PME) in the VvZFP11 promoter is important for countering the challenge to grapevine from PM, in which the defensive and stress response element (GTAAGGAAAC) is critical for specific responsiveness to SA, MeJA, and PM. Analysis of VvZFP11 promoter activity showed that VvZFP11 can activate GUS gene expression. SA induced VvZFP11 ’s expression, while VvZFP11 responded swiftly to PM. Analysis of cis- acting elements revealed that VvZFP11 contained diverse elements related to plant responses to biotic/abiotic stresses. Further experiments revealed PME in the VvZFP11 promoter was crucial for responding to PM. The PME and MV35S core promoters were fused and constructed into a single promoter, then inserted directionally into VvZFP11-GUS's upstream region to obtain a fusion construct. VvZFP11 transcript levels were significantly suppressed in transgenic plants with mutant PEM element after their inoculation with PM (based on Fig. 6). RT-qPCR results indicated the genes AtPR1, AtNPR1, AtPDF1.2 , and AtCOI , these related to SA and MeJA, were down-regulated in transgenic plants. The results also confirmed the defensive and stress response element in PME is a key component for the VvZFP11 promoter's function and that VvZFP11 enables plants to gain resistance to PM via the SA pathways.

Genome‐wide investigation and transcriptional profiling of the oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) genes in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

AbstractTriterpene scaffolds are cyclized by differential functional genes of the oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) gene family, which are widely present in plant species. Thirty‐nine OSCs were identified from the hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome. The gene structure organization and the distribution of conserved motifs of OSCs gene family revealed that the TaOSC proteins are highly conserved. By phylogenetic analysis, all OSC proteins from wheat and other cereal crops were clustered into 11 subfamilies (I–XI). Based on the publicly available transcriptional profiling, the tissue‐specific expression patterns of TaOSC during several developmental stages revealed diverged expression patterns, indicating that the TaOSC family has undergone subfunctionalization. Furthermore, homeolog expression bias was commonly detected in the TaOSC subfamilies, such as the expression of Ta5A004900 and Ta5D011800 in the subfamily II were specifically expressed in the leaf sheath and flag leaf sheath. In addition, two genes were strongly induced by Pst, indicating that the two homolog genes are involved in the resistance to powdery mildew. Molecular evolution analysis indicated that the TaOSC family genes were undergone purifying selection. So, the powdery mildew response may be very conservative and important biological function of the Ta5A004900 and Ta5D011800 in wheat. In conclusion, these results can be used to explore the diversity of triterpenes and clarify the mechanism of triterpene cyclization, and also provide useful information for future studies on the function of the TaOSC gene family in bread wheat and other important crops.

Deciphering common temporal transcriptional response during powdery mildew disease in plants using meta-analysis

Powdery mildew caused by the different fungal species of the order Erysiphales, is one of the deadliest plant disease causing havoc production loss of major crops such as wheat, barley, grape, tomato and other economically important plants. Plants response to powdery mildew infection, the spatiotemporal dynamics of the molecular cascades and the role of defense phytohormone signaling events are still at grave. In the current study, we have used a meta-analysis approach to integrate 5 different microarray datasets by adjusting the batch effect. This integrated dataset was further used for downstream analysis, such as differential expression and pathway analysis. A large set of 5350 genes showed elevated expression upon infection in Arabidopsis thaliana. These genes majorly comprised of transcriptional regulators, phytohormone signaling pathways and secondary metabolic pathways. Furthermore, to study the shared and species-specific core gene sets involved in whole plant adaptation during powdery mildew infection, we extended our study in wheat and barley from monocots and grape from dicots. A core gene set of 184 key powdery mildew responsive genes were reported in the meta-analysis majorly from the lignin biosynthesis, circadian rhythm and hormone responsive pathways. 390 transcription factors (TFs) in Arabidopsis were further identified to differentially express at any one time point that were classified in 10 clusters based on their expression pattern. Finally, with co-expression analysis, we identified powdery mildew response network consisting of 1601 genes and 30,781 interactions. Subnetwork analysis revealed WRKY70 as potential hub that co-expressed with other WRKY transcription factors and phytohormone signaling pathway genes. Thus, the overlapping differentially expressed genes reported here would serve as useful resource for subsequent research and as a potential set of molecular biomarkers for powdery mildew disease in plants.

QTL mapping of adult-plant resistance to leaf rust in the Chinese landraces Pingyuan 50/Mingxian 169 using the wheat 55K SNP array

Leaf rust (LR) is a destructive foliar disease of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Growing resistant cultivars with adult plant resistance (APR) are the ideal way to control the disease. The aim of the present study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for leaf rust resistance using 137 doubled-haploid (DH) lines derived from the Pingyuan 50 × Mingxian 169 cross. The same population was previously tested for stripe rust (YR) and powdery mildew (PM) response, and the data were reassessed to determine the presence of QTL with pleiotropic effects. Phenotyping for leaf rust response was conducted in six environments at Baoding in Hebei province and Zhoukou in Henan province. The DH lines were genotyped using the wheat 55K SNP array and additional SSR markers. Eight QTLs for LR resistance were identified in the present study using the inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM). The flanking sequences of all the SNP probes were subjected to BLAST against the Chinese Spring reference sequence to determine physical positions. Six LR resistance loci were contributed by Pingyuan 50, but QLr.hebau-2DS2 and QLr.hebau-3AL were from Mingxian 169. QLr.hebau-3DS, a new and stable QTL detected in all environments, explained 4.2–20.0% of the phenotypic variation. Another new QTL, QLr.hebau-3AL detected in four environments had a PVE (phenotypic variance explained) of 5.7–10.1%. QLr.hebau-1BL, QLr.hebau-2DS2, and QLr.hebau-7DL are new loci. Two QTLs showed potential pleiotropic effects on disease response. QTL on chromosome 7DL might be pleiotropic to LR and PM, and the QTL on 5DL might confer pleiotropic resistance to LR and YR. Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers for QLr.hebau-3AL and QLr.hebau-3DS were successfully developed and validated. The QTL identified with their flanking markers and in the present study could be useful for fine mapping, candidate gene mining, and marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Genomic heritability estimates in sweet cherry reveal non-additive genetic variance is relevant for industry-prioritized traits

BackgroundSweet cherry is consumed widely across the world and provides substantial economic benefits in regions where it is grown. While cherry breeding has been conducted in the Pacific Northwest for over half a century, little is known about the genetic architecture of important traits. We used a genome-enabled mixed model to predict the genetic performance of 505 individuals for 32 phenological, disease response and fruit quality traits evaluated in the RosBREED sweet cherry crop data set. Genome-wide predictions were estimated using a repeated measures model for phenotypic data across 3 years, incorporating additive, dominance and epistatic variance components. Genomic relationship matrices were constructed with high-density SNP data and were used to estimate relatedness and account for incomplete replication across years.ResultsHigh broad-sense heritabilities of 0.83, 0.77, and 0.76 were observed for days to maturity, firmness, and fruit weight, respectively. Epistatic variance exceeded 40% of the total genetic variance for maturing timing, firmness and powdery mildew response. Dominance variance was the largest for fruit weight and fruit size at 34% and 27%, respectively. Omission of non-additive sources of genetic variance from the genetic model resulted in inflation of narrow-sense heritability but minimally influenced prediction accuracy of genetic values in validation. Predicted genetic rankings of individuals from single-year models were inconsistent across years, likely due to incomplete sampling of the population genetic variance.ConclusionsPredicted breeding values and genetic values revealed many high-performing individuals for use as parents and the most promising selections to advance for cultivar release consideration, respectively. This study highlights the importance of using the appropriate genetic model for calculating breeding values to avoid inflation of expected parental contribution to genetic gain. The genomic predictions obtained will enable breeders to efficiently leverage the genetic potential of North American sweet cherry germplasm by identifying high quality individuals more rapidly than with phenotypic data alone.

A genome-wide identification and comparative analysis of the lentil MLO genes.

Powdery mildew is a widespread fungal plant disease that can cause significant losses in many crops. Some MLO genes (Mildew resistance locus O) have proved to confer a durable resistance to powdery mildew in several species. Resistance granted by the MLO gene family members has prompted an increasing interest in characterizing these genes and implementing their use in plant breeding. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a widely grown food legume almost exclusively consumed as dry seed with an average world production of 4.5 million tons. Powdery mildew causes severe losses on certain lentil cultivars under particular environmental conditions. Data mining of the lentil CDC Redberry draft genome allowed to identify up to 15 gene sequences with homology to known MLO genes, designated as LcMLOs. Further characterization of these gene sequences and their deduced protein sequences demonstrated conformity with key MLO protein characteristics such as the presence of transmembrane and calmodulin binding domains, as well as that of other conserved motifs. Phylogenetic and other comparative analyses revealed that LcMLO1 and LcMLO3 are the most likely gene orthologs related to powdery mildew response in other species, sharing a high similarity with other known resistance genes of dicot species, such as pea PsMLO1 and Medicago truncatula MtMLO1 and MtMLO3. Sets of primers were designed as tools to PCR amplify the genomic sequences of LcMLO1 and LcMLO3, also to screen lentil germplasm in search of resistance mutants. Primers were used to obtain the complete sequences of these two genes in all of the six wild lentil relatives. Respective to each gene, all Lens sequences shared a high similarity. Likewise, we used these primers to screen a working collection of 58 cultivated and 23 wild lentil accessions in search of length polymorphisms present in these two genes. All these data widen the insights on this gene family and can be useful for breeding programs in lentil and close related species.

VpUR9, a novel RING-type ubiquitin ligase gene from Vitis pseudoreticulata, is involved in powdery mildew response in transgenic V. vinifera plants

Ubiquitination plays important roles in disease resistance in plants. We report the identification and functional characterization of the RING-type ubiquitin ligase gene VpUR9 from Chinese wild Vitis pseudoreticulata accession Baihe-35-1. VpUR9, encodes 164 amino acids and possesses a RING conserved motif. It is homologously cloned from the cDNA library of the high powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator [Schw.] Burr) resistant V. pseudoreticulata accession Baihe-35-1 inoculated with E. necator. The gene is induced in response to powdery mildew and salicylic acid. VpUR9 fused with FLAG-tag controlled by 35S promoter was transformed into 15 regenerated V. vinifera L. cv. Red Globe lines via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Twelve of these lines were confirmed by Western blot of FLAG-tag. As a result, the powdery mildew-resistance of Red Globe transformed with VpUR9 was repressed. Furthermore, the expression of some disease-resistant related genes (NPR1, PR1, PR10 and PAL) of the transgenic Red Globe declined compared with wild type grapes when inoculated with powdery mildew or salicylic acid. When treated with jasmonic acid methyl ester, its PR1 gene expression decreased, while the expressions of NPR1, PR10 and PAL all increased, contrasting with the wild type grape.

Comparative Transcriptome Analyses of Resistant and Susceptible Near-Isogenic Wheat Lines following Inoculation with Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici.

Powdery mildew is one of the most important diseases of wheat. In this study, the leaf RNA samples of wheat NILs carrying powdery mildew resistant and susceptible Pm2 alleles (L031 and Chancellor) and its F1 hybrid at two time points (16 h and 96 h postinoculation) were used for RNA-seq analysis. We carry comparison between similar materials at different times and between different materials at same times. The overlapping DEGs between the dominant phenotypes (L031 and F1 hybrid) and the recessive phenotype (Chancellor) were 1028 and 2214 DEGs, which were clearly lower than those between the dominant and recessive parents and thus could provide relatively accurate and valuable information. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed that other than the expected defense-related genes, differential up- and downregulation of genes from many other signaling networks were also involved. Comparative transcriptome analysis also revealed that early-stage postinoculation is important and suitable time points to study expression profiles and signaling pathways of resistance-related genes following fungal inoculation. qRT-PCR analyses showed highly consistent expression patterns of genes with RNA-seq data. The results will aid in the identification of genes and signaling pathways involved in powdery mildew response in wheat.

A disulphide isomerase gene (PDI-V) from Haynaldia villosa contributes to powdery mildew resistance in common wheat.

In this study, we report the contribution of a PDI-like gene from wheat wild relative Haynaldia villosa in combating powdery mildew. PDI-V protein contains two conserved thioredoxin (TRX) active domains (a and a′) and an inactive domain (b). PDI-V interacted with E3 ligase CMPG1-V protein, which is a positive regulator of powdery mildew response. PDI-V was mono-ubiquitinated by CMPG1-V without degradation being detected. PDI-V was located on H. villosa chromosome 5V and encoded for a protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Bgt infection in leaves of H. villosa induced PDI-V expression. Virus induced gene silencing of PDIs in a T. durum-H. villosa amphiploid compromised the resistance. Single cell transient over-expression of PDI-V or a truncated version containing the active TXR domain a decreased the haustorial index in moderately susceptible wheat cultivar Yangmai 158. Stable transgenic lines over-expressing PDI-V in Yangmai 158 displayed improved powdery mildew resistance at both the seedling and adult stages. By contrast over-expression of point-mutated PDI-VC57A did not increase the level of resistance in Yangmai 158. The above results indicate a pivotal role of PDI-V in powdery mildew resistance and showed that conserved TRX domain a is critical for its function.

Identification and genetic mapping of the putative Thinopyrum intermedium-derived dominant powdery mildew resistance gene PmL962 on wheat chromosome arm 2BS.

Powdery resistance putatively derived from Thinopyrum intermedium in the wheat line L962 is controlled by a single dominant gene designated PmL962 and mapped to chromosome arm 2BS. Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is a destructive disease affecting the production of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Powdery mildew resistance was putatively transferred from Thinopyrum intermedium to the common wheat line L962, which conferred resistance to multiple Chinese Bgt isolates. Genetic analysis of the powdery mildew response was conducted by crossing the resistant line L962 with the susceptible line L983. Disease assessments of the F1, F2, and F2:3 populations from the cross L983/L962 indicated that resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene. A total of 373 F2:3 lines and 781 pairs of genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were employed to determine the chromosomal location of the resistance gene. The gene was linked to four publicly available and recently developed wheat genomic SSR markers and seven EST-STS markers. The resistance gene was mapped to chromosome arm 2BS based on the locations of the linked markers. Pedigree, molecular marker and resistance response data indicated that the powdery mildew resistance gene in L962 is novel. It was temporarily designated PmL962. It is flanked by Xwmc314 and BE443737at genetic distances of 2.09 and 3.74 cM, respectively, and located in a 20.77 cM interval that is co-linear with a 269.4 kb genomic region on chromosome 5 in Brachypodium distachyon and a 223.5 kb genomic region on rice (Oryza sativa) chromosome 4. The markers that are closely linked to this gene have potential applications in marker-assisted breeding.

Identification and Analysis of Powdery Mildew‐Responsive miRNAs in Wheat

AbstractWheat powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is one of the most consistently damaging diseases of common wheat worldwide and greatly affects crop productivity. Recently, several plant microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as gene expression regulators related to various adverse environments. However, up to now, less is known on the roles of miRNAs in powdery mildew infection response of wheat. In this study, miRNA expression patterns were investigated for identifying Bgt‐responsive miRNAs in wheat leaves using a plant miRNA microarray platform. A total of 79 miRNAs from 24 families were detected in wheat leaves. Among those, seven miRNAs were further validated to be involved in wheat powdery mildew response and two of them have never been reported. In addition, their target expression profiles showed a negative correlation with that of the seven miRNAs in mock‐ and Bgt‐infected samples furtherly proved, which in turn as the robust evidence, that those seven powdery mildew‐responsive miRNAs are highly reliable. These findings could extend the current view about miRNAs as ubiquitous regulators under stress conditions.

Radiation-induced translocations with reduced Haynaldia villosa chromatin at the Pm21 locus for powdery mildew resistance in wheat

Haynaldia villosa Schur. (syn. Dasypyrum villosum Candargy, 2n = 2x = 14, genome VV), a species related to wheat, is highly resistant to powdery mildew. The powdery mildew resistance gene Pm21 from H. villosa was introduced into common wheat by means of a translocation line T6VS·6AL, where the 6VS chromosome arm of H. villosa was joined at the centromere with wheat chromosome arm 6AL. To develop small alien translocations, especially interstitial translocations of small alien chromosome segments, we irradiated mature female gametes of a T6VS·6AL translocation line with gamma rays. More than 20 new translocations and deletions of 6V chromatin were obtained and subsequently used to map Pm21. Pm21 was located in a small region (FL 0.45–0.58) by genomic in situ hybridization, molecular marker analysis, and powdery mildew response. Two homozygous translocation lines with small H. villosa chromosome fragments carrying Pm21 were identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization and molecular marker analysis: an interstitial translocation in which a small fragment of 6VS is inserted into chromosome 4B and a terminal translocation with a small fragment of 6VS inserted into 1A. These small alien translocations are being transferred into an adapted elite wheat background by backcrossing to allow their easy use in breeding programs.

QTL mapping of adult-plant resistances to stripe rust and leaf rust in Chinese wheat cultivar Bainong 64

Stripe rust and leaf rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Erikss. and P. triticina, respectively, are devastating fungal diseases of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Chinese wheat cultivar Bainong 64 has maintained acceptable adult-plant resistance (APR) to stripe rust, leaf rust and powdery mildew for more than 10years. The aim of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci/locus (QTL) for resistance to the two rusts in a population of 179 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from Bainong 64×Jingshuang 16. The DH lines were planted in randomized complete blocks with three replicates at four locations. Stripe rust tests were conducted using a mixture of currently prevalent P. striiformis races, and leaf rust tests were performed with P. triticina race THTT. Leaf rust severities were scored two or three times, whereas maximum disease severities (MDS) were recorded for stripe rust. Using bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, five independent loci for APR to two rusts were detected. The QTL on chromosomes 1BL and 6BS contributed by Bainong 64 conferred resistance to both diseases. The loci identified on chromosomes 7AS and 4DL had minor effects on stripe rust response, whereas another locus, close to the centromere on chromosome 6BS, had a significant effect only on leaf rust response. The loci located on chromosomes 1BL and 4DL also had significant effects on powdery mildew response. These were located at the same positions as the Yr29/Lr46 and Yr46/Lr67 genes, respectively. The multiple disease resistance locus for APR on chromosome 6BS appears to be new. All three genes and their closely linked molecular markers could be used in breeding wheat cultivars with durable resistance to multiple diseases.

Molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci for adult-plant resistance to powdery mildew in Italian wheat cultivar Libellula

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is a fungal disease that causes significant yield losses in many wheat-growing regions of the world. Previously, five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for adult-plant resistance (APR) to stripe rust resistance were identified in Italian wheat cultivar Libellula. The objectives of this study were to map QTLs for APR to powdery mildew in 244 F2 : 3 lines of Libellula/Huixianhong, to analyse the stability of detected QTLs across environments, and to assess the association of these QTLs with stripe rust resistance. Powdery mildew response was evaluated for 2 years in Beijing and for 1 year in Anyang. The correlation between averaged maximum disease severity (MDS) and averaged area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) over 2 years in Beijing was 0.98, and heritabilities of MDS and AUDPC were 0.65 and 0.81, respectively, based on the mean values averaged across environments. SSR markers were used to screen the parents and mapping population. Five QTLs were identified by inclusive composite interval mapping, designated as QPm.caas-2DS, QPm.caas-4BL.1, QPm.caas-6BL.1, QPm.caas-6BL.2, and QPm.caas-7DS. Three QTLs (QPm.caas-2DS and QPm.caas-6BL.1, and QPm.caas-6BL.2) seem to be new resistance loci for powdery mildew. QTLs QPm.caas-2DS and QPm.caas-4BL.1 were identified at the same position as previously mapped QTLs for stripe rust resistance in Libellula. The QTL QPm.caas-7DS, derived from Libellula, coincided with the slow rusting and slow mildewing locus Lr34/Yr18/Pm38. These results and the identified markers could be useful for wheat breeders aiming for durable resistance to both powdery mildew and stripe rust.

Pyramiding adult-plant powdery mildew resistance QTLs in bread wheat

Pyramiding of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) can be an effective approach for developing durable resistance to powdery mildew in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The Chinese wheat cultivars Bainong 64 and Lumai 21, with outstanding agronomic traits, possess four and three QTLs, respectively, for adult-plant resistance (APR) to powdery mildew. To achieve optimal durable resistance, 21 F6 lines combining two–five powdery mildew APR QTLs were developed from the cross Bainong 64/Lumai 21 using a modified pedigree selection. These lines were planted in a randomised complete block design with two replicates in Beijing during the 2009–10 and 2010–11 cropping seasons, and were evaluated for powdery mildew response using the highly virulent Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici isolate E20. Based on the phenotypic data of both maximum disease severity (MDS) and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), analysis of variance indicated that there were highly significant effects of QTL combinations on reducing powdery mildew MDS and AUDPC. Six pyramided QTL combinations possessing QPm.caas-1A and QPm.caas-4DL in common along with one or more of the others expressed better APR to powdery mildew than the more resistant parent, Bainong 64. Thus, pyramiding these two QTLs with one or more of QPm.caas-2BS, QPm.caas-2BL, and QPm.caas-2DL from Lumai 21 could be a desirable strategy to breed cultivars with high levels of durable resistance to powdery mildew. Experienced breeders with a good knowledge of minor genes can achieve APR by phenotypic selection, and selection by molecular markers will still require uniform field testing for powdery mildew and disease phenotype to validate the resistance. These results provided very useful information for pyramiding APR QTLs in wheat breeding programs.

A new powdery mildew resistance allele at the Pm4 wheat locus transferred from einkorn (Triticum monococcum)

Powdery mildew is one of the most destructive foliar diseases of wheat. A set of differential Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici (Bgt) isolates was used to test the powdery mildew response of a Triticum monococcum-derived resistant hexaploid line, Tm27d2. Segregation analysis of 95 F2:3 lines from a Chinese Spring/Tm27d2 cross revealed that the resistance of Tm27d2 is controlled by a single dominant gene. Using monosomic analysis and a molecular mapping approach, the resistance gene was localized to the terminal end of chromosome 2AL. The linkage map of chromosome 2AL consisted of nine simple sequence repeat markers and one sequence-tagged site (STS) marker (ResPm4) indicative for the Pm4 locus. According to the differential reactions of 19 wheat cultivars/lines with known powdery mildew resistance genes to 13 Bgt isolates, Tm27d2 carried a new resistance specificity. The complete association of the resistance allele with STS marker ResPm4 indicated that it represented a new allele at the Pm4 locus. This new allele was designated Pm4d. The two flanking markers Xgwm526 and Xbarc122 closely linked to Pm4d at genetic distances of 3.4 and 1.0 cM, respectively, are present in chromosome bin 2AL1-0.85-1.00.

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Adult-Plant Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Chinese Wheat Cultivar Bainong 64

Adult-plant resistance (APR) is an effective means of controlling powdery mildew in wheat. In the present study, 406 simple-sequence repeat markers were used to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for APR to powdery mildew in a doubled-haploid (DH) population of 181 lines derived from the cross Bainong 64xJingshuang 16. The DH lines were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates in Beijing and Anyang during the 2005-06 and 2007-08 cropping seasons. Artificial inoculations were carried out in Beijing using the highly virulent Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici isolate E20. Disease severities on penultimate leaves were scored twice in Beijing whereas, at Anyang, maximum disease severities (MDS) were recorded following natural infection. Broad-sense heritabilities of MDS and areas under the disease progress curve were 0.89 and 0.77, respectively, based on the mean values averaged across environments. Composite interval mapping detected four QTLs for APR to powdery mildew on chromosomes 1A, 4DL, 6BS, and 7A; these were designated QPm.caas-1A, QPm.caas-4DL, QPm.caas-6BS, and QPm.caas-7A, respectively, and explained 6.3 to 22.7% of the phenotypic variance. QTLs QPm.caas-4DL and QPm.caas-6BS were stable across environments with high genetic effects on powdery mildew response, accounting for 15.2 to 22.7% and 9.0 to 13.2% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. These results should be useful for the future improvement of powdery mildew resistance in wheat.

흰가루병 저항성 동양종 호박 품종 육성

To breed powdery mildew resistant varieties, 104 accessions of Cucurbita spp. germplasm were evaluated. Powdery mildew resistance and horticultural characteristics of the accessions were investigated in the field conditions. C. martinezii was selected for high resistance to powdery mildew in the field. The growth of powdery mildew pathogen and response of leaf surface tissue to the pathogen were observed after artificial inoculation to resistant C martinezii and susceptible C. moschata cv. `Wonye No.402`. Mycelium growth was very clearly different between resistant C. martinezii and susceptible C moschata cv. `Wonye No. 402` at 5 days after inoculation at the adult stage. Interspecific hybridization was attempted to transfer powdery mildew resistance gene(s) from C. martinezii to C. moschata. A single dominant gene action was postulated as deter mining powdery mildew resistance at the seedling stage. But for the effective selection of powdery mildew resistant individuals, it was established that adult plant resistance should be confirmed in the field conditions after the seedling test. Through the seedling and field tests, C. moschata lines resistant to powdery mildew and superior to horticultural characteristics, were selected after 2 backcrossing and 3 selfing generations. The fruit characteristics of newly developed lines were similar to those of the recurrent parent, `Jaechenjarae`.