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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Cereal Crops Improvement Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410752
Research Project: Improvement of Disease and Pest Resistance in Barley, Durum, Oat, and Wheat Using Genetics and Genomics

Location: Cereal Crops Improvement Research

Title: The Hessian fly resistance gene HvRHF1 is localized in an NBS-LRR gene cluster in barley

Author
item KARKI, MANILA - North Dakota State University
item ROBBANI, MD GOLAM - North Dakota State University
item Chu, Chenggen
item Xu, Steven
item LIU, ZHAOHUI - North Dakota State University
item Yang, Shengming

Submitted to: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/9/2024
Publication Date: 3/5/2024
Citation: Karki, M., Robbani, M., Chu, C.N., Xu, S.S., Liu, Z., Yang, S. 2024. The Hessian fly resistance gene HvRHF1 is localized in an NBS-LRR gene cluster in barley. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 137. Article 71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-024-04581-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-024-04581-5

Interpretive Summary: The Hessian fly (HF) is one of the most devastating pests of wheat. Although wheat is the most preferred host for HF, this continuously evolving pest has been emerging as a threat to barley production. There have been reports of severe HF attack in barley fields in several States of the US. The threaten of HF on barley production may continue to escalate if timely studies are not carried out to develop control measures. However, characterization and identification of disease resistance to HF has not been conducted in barley. In the present study, we used genetic mapping method to identify barley resistance genes to Hessian fly. One significant resistance gene, named HvRHF1, was anchored onto a specific barley Chromosome, and genetic markers were developed to indicate the presence and absence of those resistance genes on barley plant. Potential candidate genes for HvRHF1 were identified for functional analysis. Therefore, our study provided the critical tools for breeders to develop HF-resistant barley variety and laid a foundation for geneticists to understand the HF resistance mechanism in barley.

Technical Abstract: Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say) is a significant pest in cereal crops, causing substantial yield losses worldwide. While host resistance is the most efficient method for pest control, research on genetic characterization of Hessian fly resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has been limited, and the underlying resistance mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we conducted fine mapping of a crucial Hessian fly resistance locus, known as HvRHF1, using a biparental population. Assisted with genetic markers and robust phenotyping assay, we pinpointed the HvRHF1 gene to an ~82 kb region on chromosome 4H. Gene prediction and annotation revealed that the HvRHF1 locus comprises three complete NBS-LRR genes, which are characteristic of disease resistance genes. As a result, our study not only provides valuable resources for resistance in barley and genetic tools for breeding, but also identifies candidate genes that lay the foundation for cloning HvRHF1. This endeavour will significantly contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cereal resistance to Hessian fly.