ARS | Publication request: IDENTIFICATION OF NOVEL SOURCES OF FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT RESISTANCE FROM RELATIVES OF WHEAT

Submitted to: National Fusarium Head Blight Forum Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2003
Publication Date: December 1, 2003
Citation: Oliver, R.E., Chen, X., Xu, S.S., Jin, Y., Cai, X. 2003. Identification of novel sources of fusarium head blight resistance from relatives of wheat. National Fusarium Head Blight Forum Proceedings. p. 225.

Technical Abstract: Sources of resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) are limited in wheat. Identification of novel sources is vital for improving resistance to this disease. We have evaluated 284 wheat lines derived from crosses between wheat and its relatives for FHB resistance. Materials were evaluated in the greenhouse using the point inoculation method and the percent of infected spikelets were measured. Approximately 20 spikes were inoculated for each of the wheat lines. Of the 284 lines evaluated, 100 were resistant (<15% infected spikelets), 108 were moderately resistant (15-50% infected spikelets), and 76 were susceptible (>50% infected spikelets). Resistant lines include synthetic common wheat lines, wheat-alien species amphiploids, addition lines, and other wheat-alien species derivatives. Further evaluations are being conducted to confirm these results. Cytogenetic characterization is in progress to understand the chromosome constitutions of wheat lines with high levels of resistance. Following an initial chromosome count, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is performed to determine the amount of alien chromatin present in each resistant line. FISH patterns of mitotic chromosomes indicate that four of the most resistant lines carry 14 Thinopyrum ponticum chromosomes and 42 wheat chromosomes. Additional crosses are being made to localize resistance genes, to minimize alien chromatin, and to pyramid FHB resistance genes.