Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #118935
Title: DNA MARKERS FOR FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT RESISTANCE QTL'S IN TWO WHEAT POPULATIONS

Author
item WALDRON, B - LOGON, UT
item FJELD, A - PULLMAN, WA
item COYNE, C - PULLMAN, WA
item CREGAN, PERRY
item ANDERSON, J - UNIV. OF MINNESOTA
item LIU, S - UNIV. OF MINNESOTA
item STACK, R - N. DOKOTA ST. UNIV.
item SONG, Q - VISITING SCIENTIST CHINA
item FROHBERG, R - N. DAKOTA ST UNIV.
item MORONO-SEVILLA, B - MONSANTO CORPORATION

Submitted to: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Genetic resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is needed to reduce the wheat grain yield and quality losses caused by this disease. Development of resistant cultivars is slow because of poorly adapted and incomplete resistance sources and confounding environmental effects that make the identification of resistant breeding lines difficult. DNA markers that can be used to select indirectly for FHB resistance genes have been identified and may be used to speed the introduction of resistance genes into new cultivars. This study was conducted to identify and map additional DNA markers linked to genes controlling FHB resistance in two spring wheat populations, both of which carry genes from the widely used FHB resistance source, Sumai 3. Both populations were evaluated for reaction to inoculation with F. graminearum in two greenhouse experiments. A total of 521 DNA markers were used in one population to find associations with resistance genes and all markers that detected such an association were also used to classify the second population. DNA markers at three positions in the wheat genome were associated with FHB resistance in both populations. In particular, simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers on the short arm of wheat chromosome 3B were useful in identifying members of the breeding populations that were more resistant to FHB. The SSR DNA markers associated with the FHB resistance gene(s) on chromosome 3B will be useful to wheat breeders who are trying to develop FHB resistant cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Genetic resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is necessary to reduce the wheat grain yield and quality losses caused by this disease. Development of resistant cultivars has been slowed by poorly adapted and incomplete resistance sources and confounding environmental effects that make screening of germplasm difficult. DNA markers for FHB resistance QTLs have been identified and may be used to speed the introgression of resistance genes into adapted germplasm. This study was conducted to identify and map additional DNA markers linked to genes controlling FHB resistance in two spring wheat recombinant inbred populations, both segregating for genes from the widely used resistance source, 'Sumai 3'. The first population was from the cross of Sumai 3/Stoa in which we previously identified five resistance QTLs. The second population was from the cross of ND2603 (Sumai 3/Wheaton) (resistant)/ Butte 86 (moderately susceptible). Both populations were evaluated for reaction to inoculation with F. graminearum in two greenhouse experiments. A combination of 521 RFLP, AFLP, and SSR markers were mapped in the Sumai 3/Stoa population and all DNA markers associated with resistance were screened on the ND2603/Butte 86 population. All three of the Sumai 3-derived QTL regions (on chromosomes 3BS, 6BL, and 6BS) from the Sumai 3/Stoa population were associated with FHB resistance in the ND2603/Butte 86 population. Markers in the 3BS QTL region (Qfhs.ndsu-3BS) alone explain 41.6 and 24.8% of the resistance to FHB in the Sumai 3/Stoa and ND2603/Butte 86 populations, respectively. This region contains a major QTL for resistance to FHB and is useful in marker-assisted selection.