ARS | Publication request: Association Analysis of FHB Resistance in Soft Winter Wheat

Submitted to: National Fusarium Head Blight Forum Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 12, 2009
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) has been identified in soft winter wheat (SWW) cultivars from the Eastern United States, although little information has been available about the genetic basis of resistance. Recently, QTL mapping has been done in bi-parental crosses involving SWW sources of resistance, but mapped QTL need to be validated in diverse genetic backgrounds. Conducting a genome-wide association analysis on SSW lines grown in uniform regional scab screening nurseries will enable breeders to identify and validate QTL associated with FHB resistance. Association analysis is amenable for analyzing multiple diverse populations for FHB resistance. The approach can offer greater power and precision to test QTL effects and associated markers for their diagnostic capacity. The Northern Uniform Winter Wheat Scab Nursery (NUWWSN) and Uniform Southern Fusarium Head Blight Nursery (USFHBN), grown at a total of 16 locations during 2008 and 2009, were rated for several phenotypic traits associated with the disease (INC, SEV, INDEX, FDK and DON). Nursery entries were genotyped with SSR markers targeted to regions previously associated with FHB resistance QTL and genome-wide DArT markers. Unlinked markers were used to assess the relatedness of lines using STRUCTURE 2.3.1, Principal Component Analysis (SASv9.1.3), and Kinship (TASSLE v2.1). Results of associations identified using mixed model analysis in TASSLE and SAS will be presented.