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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » WHGQ » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #308197
Title: Screening Locally Adapted Spring Wheat Lines for Resistance to Cereal Cyst Nematode

Author
item MANNING-THOMPSON, Y. - Washington State University
item PUMPHREY, M. - Washington State University
item Campbell, Kimberly
item Paulitz, Timothy

Submitted to: WSU Dryland Field Day Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2014
Publication Date: 6/20/2014
Citation: Manning-Thompson, Y., Pumphrey, M., Campbell, K., Paulitz, T.C. 2014. Screening Locally Adapted Spring Wheat Lines for Resistance to Cereal Cyst Nematode. WSU Dryland Field Day Abstracts. 14-1. Pg. 68.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae) has become an increasing problem in the high precipitation areas of eastern Washington and the Palouse. Since 2010, surveys have discovered serious infestations of this nematode, which infects wheat, barley and grassy weeds. It causes severe yield loss, restricted root growth, stunting and the formation of whiteheads. There are no chemical controls or nematicides registered for wheat, and crop rotation with a non-host, such as a legume is not effective over the long run because the eggs are protected by cysts which can survive in the soil for many years in the absence of a host. The best long-term solution is the use of major gene resistance, called Cre genes. Many of these genes have been identified and deployed around the world, especially in Australia. These genes can prevent reproduction by the females on the roots. We wanted to determine if there was already resistance in locally adapted lines, which could then be used to introgress the genes into new WA varieties. For the past two years, we have screened adapted lines in a field infested with cereal cyst nematode near Colton, WA. Lines were planted in two head rows, side by side with two rows of a susceptible check, Alpowa, and replicated in 5 blocks over the field. Plants were harvested in late June and the number of white female cysts visible on the roots were assessed. In 2013, we screened 83 adapted lines from the Western Spring Regional Nursery. We identified 4 lines with resistance- UC 1711, AUBR3059W, SY Steelhead (= SY 97621-05), and WA 8163. UC 1711 and SY Steelhead also showed resistance in our 2012 trial. In addition, another 5 lines showed intermediate resistance. We will continue this screening in 2014, and are trying to develop a greenhouse screening method using infested field soil.