Identifying resistance loci associated with orange rust and yellow leaf diseases through genome-wide association studies in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.)

Authors: YANG, XIPING - University Of Florida; Sood, Sushma; LUO, ZILIANG - University Of Florida; Todd, James; WANG, JIANPING - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Sugar Journal
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2021
Publication Date: 6/30/2021
Citation: Yang, X., Sood, S.G., Luo, Z., Todd, J.R., Wang, J. 2021. Identifying resistance loci associated with orange rust and yellow leaf diseases through genome-wide association studies in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Sugar Journal. 41:29.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Sugarcane orange rust (SOR) and sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) are major sugarcane diseases, causing up to 50 and 40% yield losses, respectively. Sugarcane cultivars resistant to these diseases are needed to sustain sugarcane production in several regions. Dissecting DNA sequence variants controlling disease resistance provides a valuable tool for fulfilling a breeding strategy to develop resistant cultivars. In this study, we evaluated disease reactions to SOR and SCYLV of a sugarcane diversity panel in repeated trials. We conducted a genome-wide association study between high-density markers and disease resistance reactions. We identified 65 and 26 putative DNA markers and 53 and 23 candidate genes significantly associated with resistance to SOR and SCYLV, respectively. These markers and candidate genes provided an important genetic resource for finding genes and molecular markers for disease resistance. Our results emphasized the importance of utilizing a wide germplasm collection for breeding resistant sugarcane cultivars.