Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Renewable Product Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #286698

Title: Characterization of Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance and deoxynivalenol accumulation in hulled and hulless winter barley

Author
item BERGER, GREGORY - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item GREEN, ANDREW - Kansas State University
item Khatibi, Piyum
item BROOKS, WYNSE - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item ROSSO, LUCIANA - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item LIU, SHUYU - Texas A&M University
item GRIFFEY, CARL - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item SCHMALE III, DAVID - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2013
Publication Date: 1/10/2014
Citation: Berger, G., Green, A., Khatibi, P.A., Brooks, W., Rosso, L., Liu, S., Chao, S.M., Griffey, C., Schmale, D. 2014. Characterization of Fusarium head blight resistance and deoxynivalenol accumulation in hulled and hulless winter barley. Plant Disease. 98(5):599-606. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-05-13-0479-RE

Interpretive Summary: Different barley lines were examined to determine their resistance to a plant disease (Fusarium head blight) caused by a fungus (Fusarium graminearum). Fusarium graminearum and the toxin (deoxynivalenol) it releases plague the U.S. barley feed and food industry by rendering the grain unmarketable and dangerous for consumption by domestic animals and humans. Of 18 barley lines evaluated over two years at different locations in Virginia, three lines were identified as being consistently resistant to disease and toxin accumulation. Development of barley lines with improved disease and toxin resistance is necessary to ensure feed and food safety and minimize financial losses experienced by growers and producers of barley derived products.

Technical Abstract: Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is one of the most serious diseases impacting the U.S. barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) industry. The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) produced by the pathogen renders grain unmarketable if concentrations exceed threshold values set for end-use markets. Development of cultivars with improved FHB and DON resistance is necessary to ensure minimal losses. Elite hulled and hulless genotypes developed by the Virginia Tech winter barley breeding program were screened in inoculated, mist irrigated FHB nurseries over two years (2009-2010 and 2010-2011) at two locations (Blacksburg, VA and Mount Holly, VA) to validate resistance levels and stability over years and locations. Results demonstrated that barley genotypes varied significantly for resistance to FHB and DON accumulation. Stability of resistance across locations is highly desirable when developing FHB and DON resistant genotypes. The hulled cultivar Nomini, hulless cultivar Eve, and hulless line VA06H-48 were consistently resistant across locations to both FHB and DON accumulation. Screening the genotypes with molecular markers on chromosomes 2H and 6H for FHB and DON revealed QTL regions which may confer resistance in the Virginia Tech germplasm. Ongoing and future work with mapping populations seek to identify novel regions for resistance to FHB and DON accumulation unique to the Virginia Tech breeding program.