DNA MARKERS FOR FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT RESISTANCE QTLS IN TWO WHEAT POPULATIONS

Authors: ANDERSON, J - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA; STACK, R - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV; LIU, S - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA; Waldron, Blair; FJELD, A - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV; Coyne, Clarice - Clare; MORENO-SEVILLA, B - MONSANTO; FETCH, J - AGRICUL & AGRIFOOD, CAN; SONG, Q - UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND; Cregan, Perry

Submitted to: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Genetic resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is necessary to reduce the wheat grain yield and quality losses caused by this disease. Development of resistant cultivars has been slowed by poorly adapted and incomplete resistance sources and confounding environmental effects that make screening of germplasm difficult. DNA markers for FHB resistance QTLs have been identified and may be used to speed the introgression of resistance genes into adapted germplasm. This study was conducted to identify and map additional DNA markers linked to genes controlling FHB resistance in two spring wheat populations, both segregating for genes from the widely used resistance source, 'Sumai 3'. The first population was from the cross of Sumai 3/Stoa in which we previously identified five resistance QTLs. The second population was from the cross of ND2603 (Sumai 3/Wheaton) (resistant)/Butte 86 (moderately susceptible). Both populations were evaluated for reaction to inoculation with F.graminearum in two greenhouse experiments. A combination of 521 RFLP, AFLP, and SSR DNA markers were mapped in the Sumai 3/Stoa population and all markers associated with resistance were screened on the ND2603/Butte 86 population. Three QTL regions (on chromosomes 3BS, 6BL, and 6BS) were associated with FHB resistance in both wheat populations. Markers in the 3BS QTL region alone explain 41.6 and 24.8% of the resistance to FHB in the Sumai 3/Stoa and ND2603/Butte 86 populations, respectively. This region contains a major QTL for resistance to FHB and has been named Qfhs.ndsu-3BS. This QTL should be useful in marker-assisted selection.

Technical Abstract: Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum reduces the wheat grain yield and quality. Development of genetic resistant cultivars has been slowed by poorly adapted and incomplete resistance sources and confounding environmental effects. DNA markers for FHB resistance QTLs have been identified and may be used to speed the introgression of resistance genes into adapted germplasm. This study was conducted to identify and map additional DNA markers linked to genes controlling FHB resistance in inbred populations, both segregating for genes from the widely used resistance source, 'Sumai 3'. One population was from the cross of Sumai 3/Stoa in which we previously identified five resistance QTLs. The second population was from the cross of ND2603 (Sumai 3/ Wheaton) (resistant)/Butte 86 (moderately susceptible). Both populations were evaluated for reaction to inoculation with F.graminearum. A combination of 521 RFLP, AFLP, and SSR markers were mapped in the Sumai 3/ Stoa population and all DNA markers associated with resistance were screened on the ND2603/Butte 86 population. One new QTL on chromosome 6BL was found in the Sumai 3/Stoa population, and AFLP and SSR markers were identified that explained a greater portion of the phenotypic variation compared to the previous RFLP markers. All three Sumai 3-derived QTL regions on chromosomes (3BS, 6BL, and 6BS) from the Sumai 3/Stoa population were associated with FHB resistance in the ND2603/Butte 86 populations. Markers in the 3BS QTL region (Qfhs.ndsu-3BS) alone explain 41.6 and 24.8% of the resistance to FHB in the Sumai 3/Stoa and ND2603/ Butte 86 populations, respectively. This region contains a major QTL for resistance to FHB and should be useful in marker-assisted selection.