Identification of QTL associated with plant vine characteristics and infection response to late blight, early blight, and Verticillium wilt in a tetraploid potato population derived from late blight-resistant Palisade Russet

Authors: PARK, JAEBUM - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); SATHUVALLI, VIDYASAGAR - Oregon State University; YILMA, SOLOMON - Oregon State University; Whitworth, Jonathan; Novy, Richard - Rich

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/25/2023
Publication Date: 10/11/2023
Citation: Park, J., Sathuvalli, V., Yilma, S., Whitworth, J.L., Novy, R.G. 2023. Identification of QTL associated with plant vine characteristics and infection response to late blight, early blight, and Verticillium wilt in a tetraploid potato population derived from late blight-resistant Palisade Russet. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14:1222596. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1222596.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1222596

Interpretive Summary: Potato late blight (causal agent Phytophthora infestans) has significantly affected potato production and associated economics worldwide. To better understand host plant resistance and to develop more durable late blight resistance, genetic analysis was conducted on a mapping population (A08241) derived from late blight-resistant potato cultivar 'Palisade Russet'. Additionally, genetic analyses for other traits such as verticillium wilt, early blight resistance, vine size, and maturity were performed to identify a potential relationship between multiple traits and prepare genetic resources for molecular markers useful to breeding programs. Two parents and progenies were evaluated over a two-year period for response to infection by the US-8 genotype of P. infestans in inoculated field screenings in Corvallis, Oregon. In Aberdeen, Idaho, the same mapping population was evaluated for response to early blight, verticillium wilt, vine size, and maturity in a field over a two-year period. The analysis results showed that a region of chromosome 5 has a significant effect on all five traits. Verticillium wilt and vine maturity were also affected by a region on chromosome 1, and vine size was also found to be associated with a region on chromosomes 3 and 10. The genetic regions identified in this study have the potential for converting into breeder-friendly markers to aid in selection of improved potato lines.

Technical Abstract: Potato late blight (causal agent Phytophthora infestans) is a disease of potatoes with economic importance worldwide. Control is primarily through field monitoring and the application of fungicides. Control of late blight with fungicides and host plant resistance is difficult, with documented cases of such control measures failing with the advent of new pathotypes of P. infestans. To better understand host plant resistance and to develop more durable late blight resistance, QTL analysis was conducted on a tetraploid mapping population derived from late blight-resistant potato cultivar ‘Palisade Russet’. Additionally, QTL analyses for other traits such as verticillium wilt, early blight resistance, vine size, and maturity were performed to identify a potential relationship between multiple traits and prepare genetic resources for molecular markers useful in breeding programs. One hundred ninety progenies from intercrossing ‘Palisade Russet’ with a late blight susceptible breeding clone (ND028673B-2Russ) were assessed. Two parents and the progenies were evaluated for a two-year period for response to infection by the US-8 genotype of P. infestans in inoculated field screenings in Corvallis, Oregon. In Aberdeen, Idaho, the same mapping population was also evaluated for phenotypic response to early blight, verticillium wilt, vine size, and maturity in a field over a two-year period. After conducting QTL analyses with those collected phenotype data, it was observed that chromosome 5 has a significant QTL for all five traits. Verticillium wilt and vine maturity QTL were also observed on chromosome 1, and vine size QTL was also found on chromosomes 3 and 10. An early blight QTL was also detected on chromosome 2. The QTLs identified in this study have the potential for converting into breeder-friendly molecular markers for marker-assisted selection.