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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Crop Production and Pest Control Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #229417

Title: Virus Detection and Field Management

Author
item Anderson, Joseph

Submitted to: American Oat Workers Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2008
Publication Date: 6/28/2008
Citation: Anderson, J.M. 2008. Virus Detection and Field Management. American Oat Workers Conference Proceedings. Paper No. 6.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: There are two primary pathogens of Oat – Crown Rust and the Luteoviruses Barley and Cereal Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV and CYDV). These viruses can only be transmitted by aphids, are limited to the vascular system in infected plants and can lead to severe stunting and a concomitant yield loss. In 2006 and 2007, these viruses reduced yields by approximately 10 to 30% in Indiana and also were a major disease problem in the Midwest and Southeastern parts of the US. Recently, we have developed a multi-plex PCR detection method which simultaneously detects five BYD (PAV, MAV, SGV and RMV and CYD (RPV) viruses that are the primary viruses found in small grain cereals in the US and Canada. This detection method generates virus-specific amplicons which, due to their different molecular weights, are readily identified in either high resolution agarose gels or capillary electrophoresis. Our data, thus far, has shown that mixed infections predominate and there can be significant variation within a field. BYDV-PAV had been thought to be the predominate Luteovirus in the US. However, our results suggest that there now is a dominant group of viruses - BYDV-PAV, BYDV-MAV and CYDV-RPV. This method is providing the first tool for developing an epidemiological view of the Yellow Dwarf Virus disease complex. These studies will provide information that breeders need to develop the most virus resistant varieties. Genetic resistance has been the most common crop management approach for reducing the impact of YDV on oat production. Insecticide treatments are the most effective non-genetic approach to controlling this disease but this usually is not economically feasible. A number of lines developed in the small grains breeding programs at Purdue University and University of Illinois in concert with the USDA-ARS do have significant resistance to these viruses. However, when the disease pressure is high the level of resistance within these lines does not appear to be sufficient. Also this resistance is engendered by tolerance and resistance QTLs each of which contribute relatively low levels of protection. The most resistant/tolerant lines most likely are the consequence of pyramiding of a number of genes. Moving this multi-gene resistance into new elite adapted material requires a significant amount of testing over multiple generations. In an effort to enhance the level of YDV resistance available to breeders a set of Avena strigosa and Avena sterilis accessions were tested from which we have identified lines which contain high levels of B/CYDV resistance. These lines are being used in a series of wide crosses to introgress this resistance into cultivated oat and enhance the genetic resistance available to breeders.