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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #345842
Research Project: Introgression of Novel Resistant Genes and Development of Integrated Production Systems for Managing Reniform Nematodes in Cotton

Location: Crop Genetics Research

Title: The elusive search for reniform nematode resistance in cotton

Author
item KHANAL, CHURAMANI - Louisiana State University Agcenter
item MCGAWLEY, EDWARD - Louisiana State University Agcenter
item OVERSTREET, CHARLES - Louisiana State University Agcenter
item Stetina, Salliana - Sally

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/2017
Publication Date: 5/1/2018
Citation: Khanal, C., McGawley, E.C., Overstreet, C., Stetina, S.R. 2018. The elusive search for reniform nematode resistance in cotton. Phytopathology. 108:532-541. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-09-17-0320-RVW.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-09-17-0320-RVW

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira) has emerged as the most important plant parasitic nematode of cotton in the US cotton belt. Success in the development of reniform nematode resistant upland cotton cultivars (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has not been realized despite over three decades of breeding efforts. Research approaches ranging from conventional breeding to triple species hybrids to marker-assisted selection have been employed to introgress reniform nematode resistance from other species of cotton into upland cultivars. Reniform nematode resistant breeding lines derived from G. longicalyx were developed in 2007. However, these breeding lines displayed stunting symptoms and a hypersensitive response to reniform nematode infection. Subsequent breeding efforts focused on G. barbadense, G. aridum, G. armoreanum, and other species that have a high level of resistance to reniform nematode. Marker-assisted selection has greatly improved screening of reniform nematode resistant lines. The use of advanced molecular techniques such as CRISPER-Cas9 systems and alternative ways such as delivery of suitable ‘cry’ proteins and specific dsRNA to nematode will assist in developing resistant cultivars of cotton. In spite of the efforts of cotton breeders and nematologists, successes are limited only to the development of reniform nematode-resistant breeding lines. In this article, we provide an overview of the approaches employed to develop reniform nematode resistant upland cotton cultivars in the past, progress to date, major obstacles, and some probable future research activity.