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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366538
Research Project: Genetic Mechanisms and Improvement of Insect Resistance in Wheat, Barley, and Sorghum

Location: Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit

Title: Identification of wheat germplasm resistant to major Russian wheat aphid biotypes in the United States

Author
item Xu, Xiangyang
item Li, Genqiao
item CARVER, BRETT - Oklahoma State University
item Puterka, Gary

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/3/2020
Publication Date: 5/1/2020
Citation: Xu, X., Li, G., Carver, B.F., Puterka, G.J. 2020. Identification of wheat germplasm resistant to major Russian wheat aphid biotypes in the United States. Crop Science. 60(3):1428-1435. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20041.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20041

Interpretive Summary: Russian wheat aphid [Diuraphis noxia (RWA)] is one of the most invasive and detrimental pests and host plant resistance is the most efficient approach to manage RWA. Several RWA biotypes have been identified in the USA, and wheat accessions resistant to biotype 1 (RWA1) and biotype 2 (RWA2) were previously identified. But germplasm resistant to other RWA biotypes were not available. The objective of this study was to identify germplasm resistant to all major RWA biotypes in the USA. A core set of wheat germplasm were evaluated for responses to major RWA biotypes in the USA, including RWA1, RWA2, RWA3/7, RWA6, and RWA8, and 14 of them were resistant or highly resistant to all five biotypes. These germplasms are valuable resistance sources for enhancing RWA resistance in wheat.

Technical Abstract: Russian wheat aphid [Diuraphis noxia (RWA)] is one of the most invasive and detrimental pests and host plant resistance is the most efficient approach to manage RWA. Wheat accessions resistant to RWA biotype 1 (RWA1) and biotype 2 (RWA2) were previously identified by screening wheat germplasm available at the USDA-ARS National Small Grain Collection. However, RWA biotypic variation necessitates a continuous search of RWA resistance sources for new RWA biotypes. The objective of this study was to identify germplasm resistant to all major RWA biotypes in the USA. A core set of 172 RWA-resistant wheat germplasm, mainly Iranian landraces, were assembled and evaluated for responses to RWA1, RWA2, RWA3, RWA6, and RWA8. Of these, 137 accessions showed homogeneous or heterogeneous resistance to at least one biotype, and 14 of them were resistant or highly resistant to all five biotypes. Another 19 accessions were resistant or highly resistant to 2-4 biotypes. These germplasms are valuable RWA resistance sources, and further purification of some accessions and characterization of the underlying RWA resistance genes are imperative for their utilization in wheat breeding.