Location: Plant Science Research
Project Number: 6070-22000-019-037-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2026
End Date: Jul 31, 2030
Objective:
The objective of this research is to increase resiliency of US wheat production by providing growers with Hessian fly resistant varieties. The parent project relies extensively on molecular markers to monitor resistance genes in wheat. Joint genotyping and field-based phenotyping of breeding germplasm are essential for increasing the overall level of Hessian Fly resistance in winter wheat and for improving marker resources that enable indirect selection.
This project establishes collaborative field screening research that increases the likelihood of obtaining robust data under natural pest pressure. Our goal is to strengthen host resistance in regions where warmer winters facilitate multiple Hessian Fly life cycles, resulting in more severe crop damage and the emergence of increasingly virulent pest populations.
This project will integrate field screening of diverse breeding materials with genotyping to support genomic prediction and identification of resistance genes to guide breeding decisions.
Specific objectives include:
(1) Generate information on cultivar resistance levels to support grower decision making;
(2) Integrate genotyping and field screening to advance resistance in breeding programs;
(3) Identify additional sources of resistance and associated DNA markers to support selection; and
(4) Incorporate new genomic resources into selection strategies used in breeding populations.
Approach:
Approach:
ARS researchers in Raleigh, NC, and the collaborating institution possess complementary expertise that will facilitate progress toward objectives 1–4.
Obj. 1
Wheat cultivars and elite breeding lines will be evaluated in a recurring Hessian Fly screening nursery established in a field with a documented history of heavy infestation and maintained with high stubble following harvest. Three row plots will be sown and evaluated for Hessian Fly injury as infestations occur. Screening results will be shared with the ARS PI, regional wheat breeders, and extension personnel as appropriate.
Obj. 2
Breeding materials—including parental lines and segregating progeny—will be evaluated as described above. Phenotypic data will be integrated with DNA marker data to identify high yielding lines exhibiting robust Hessian Fly resistance.
Obj. 3
In addition to eastern winter wheat germplasm, diverse wheat accessions will be screened in the field nursery to identify new sources of resistance. Phenotypic data will be combined with genotypic data to detect markers associated with resistance loci.
Obj. 4
Hessian Fly–resistant lines will be incorporated into crossing programs. Segregating populations will undergo marker assisted and genomic selection and field screening to develop improved cultivars with enhanced resistance.