Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #86268
Title: INHERITANCE OF RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID RESISTANCE IN PI 140207 SPRING WHEAT

Author
item Porter, David
item Baker, Cheryl
item Webster, James

Submitted to: Plant Breeding
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The Russian wheat aphid (RWA) has become a serious perennial pest of wheat in many areas of the world. Developing new cultivars with resistance to RWA is the best way to control the damaging populations of RWA that attack wheat. Fortunately, several sources of resistance to RWA are available in wheat. However, it is difficult to determine if the same, or different, genes control resistance in these sources. In this study we analyzed PI 140207, a RWA-resistant spring wheat, to determine the genetic control of RWA resistance, and to compare it with other known resistance genes. Crosses were made between PI 140207 and Pavon (a RWA-susceptible spring wheat) and genetic analysis was performed on the parents, F1, F2, backcross (BC) population, and F2-derived F3 families. Analysis of segregation patterns of plants in the F1, F2, and BC populations, as well as F2-derived F3 families, indicated that a single dominant gene controlled RWA resistance in PI 140207. Also, our results indicated that the resistance gene in PI 140207 is the same as Dn1, the resistance gene in PI 137739. Knowing that PI 140207 and PI 137739 have the same resistance gene lets wheat breeders concentrate on one source of resistance and not duplicate their efforts by using both germplasms in their breeding programs.

Technical Abstract: The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), has become a perennial, serious pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in many areas of the world. This study was initiated to determine the inheritance of RWA resistance in PI 140207 (a RWA-resistant spring wheat) and determine its allelic relationship with previously reported RWA resistance genes. Crosses swere made between PI 140207 and 'Pavon' (a RWA-susceptible spring wheat). Genetic analysis was performed on the parents, F1, F2, backcross (BC) population, and F2-derived F3 families. Analysis of segregation patterns of plants in the F1, F2, and BC populations, as well as F2-derived F3 families, indicated single dominant gene control of RWA resistance in PI 140207. Results of the allelism test indicated that the resistance gene in PI 140207, while conferring distinctly different seedling reactions to RWA feeding, is the same as Dn1, the resistance gene to PI 137739.