ARS | Publication request: Field evaluation of rainbow trout selectively bred for resistance to bacterial cold water disease

Submitted to: Flavobacterium Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2012
Publication Date: October 11, 2012
Citation: Wiens, G.D., Leeds, T.D., Lapatra, S.E., Wilson, C., Cavendar, W., Rexroad III, C.E. 2012. Field evaluation of rainbow trout selectively bred for resistance to bacterial cold water disease. Flavobacterium Meeting. CD-ROM.

Technical Abstract: Bacterial cold water disease (BCWD) is a frequent cause of elevated mortality in rainbow trout and the development of effective control strategies is a priority within the U.S. Since 2005, the NCCCWA has implemented a selective breeding program designed to increase survival following BCWD exposure. We hypothesized that this strategy may protect early life stages prior to and through typical vaccination size (hatching to >2g), and once established, the trait would be low-cost to maintain and distribute to rainbow trout producers. Factors influencing BCWD resistance under field conditions remain poorly understood and optimal field-trial design has not been investigated. Studies were carried out as part of a multi-year field evaluation process, to address: 1) egg transport and hatching under different commercial production conditions; 2) evaluation of different trial designs utilizing first-use and re-use water, 3) determine survival at locations that routinely experience natural BCWD outbreaks; and 4) investigate the distribution and impact of F. psychrophilum strain variants on resistance. The manuscript summarizes results from trials carried out at farm and field sites in Idaho and Utah in 2010 and 2011. Collectively, the results support the release of germplasm and the continued evaluation of the ARS-Fp-R genetic line in large-scale production trials.