Evaluation of a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) introgressed line population for Verticillium wilt resistance in Upland cotton

Authors: MARTINEZ, GASPER - New Mexico State University; ABDELRAHEEM, ABDELRAHEEM - New Mexico State University; DARAPUNENI, MURALI - New Mexico State University; Jenkins, Johnie; McCarty, Jack; ZHANG, JINFA - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Euphytica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/28/2018
Publication Date: 10/4/2019
Citation: Martinez, G.K., Abdelraheem, A., Darapuneni, M., Jenkins, J.N., McCarty Jr, J.C., Zhang, J. 2019. Evaluation of a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) introgressed line population for Verticillium wilt resistance in Upland cotton. Euphytica. 214:197. https://doi/10.1007/s10681-018-2278-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-018-2278-0

Interpretive Summary: Verticillium wilt (VW) is a destructive fungal soil-borne disease in Upland cotton. High levels of VW resistance can be transferred into Upland from Pima cotton through interspecific breeding. In this greenhouse study, VW resistance was evaluated in a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross population, derived from a random mated Barbadense Upland population. Three Upland cotton cultivars and 18 CS-B lines each carrying a pair of G. barbadense chromosome or arm in the TM-1 background were inter-mated for five generations to form the population. The objectives of this study were to, (1) evaluate VW resistance of 530 introgression lines in the greenhouse; and (2) to identify lines with VW resistance in the population. Approximately 10 plants for each line in each of three replicates were grown and screened for VW resistance using four parameters i.e., disease leaf severity rating, percentage defoliated leaves, disease index and percentage infected plants, with a total of ~ 25,190 plants evaluated. A correlation analysis indicated that the parameters were significantly and positively correlated with one another in each test. The disease leaf severity rating was the best parameter to assess VW resistance due to its relatively low coefficient of variation and its higher resolution to differentiate resistant genotypes from susceptible ones. Of the 530 genotypes 5 showed resistance to VW, NMIL348, NMIL518, NMIL405, NMIL290, NMIL307 with mean disease leaf severity ratings, percentage defoliated leaves, disease index and percentage infected plants across three tests ranging from 0.58 -1.46, 9.46-26.74, 11.67-35.68 and 25-95%, respectively. These lines can be used as parental lines to improve VW resistance in cotton breeding programs.

Technical Abstract: Verticillium wilt (VW, caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb) is a destructive fungal soil-borne disease in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). High levels of VW resistance can be transferred into Upland from Pima cotton (G. barbadense L.) through interspecific introgression breeding. In this greenhouse study, VW resistance was evaluated in a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) introgressed line population, derived from a random mated Barbadense Upland population with five generations of intermating (RMBUP-C4) between three Upland cotton cultivars and 18 CS-B lines each carrying a pair of G. barbadense chromosome or arm in the TM-1 background. The objectives of this study were to, (1) evaluate VW resistance of 530 MAGIC introgression lines in the greenhouse; and (2) to identify lines with VW resistance in the MAGIC population based on a total of three replicated greenhouse tests. Approximately 10 plants for each line in each replicate were grown and screened for VW resistance using four parameters i.e., disease leaf severity rating, percentage defoliated leaves, disease index and percentage infected plants, with a total of ~ 25,190 plants evaluated. A correlation analysis indicated that the parameters were significantly and positively correlated with one another in each test. The disease leaf severity rating was the best parameter to assess VW resistance due to its relatively low coefficient of variation and its higher resolution to differentiate resistant genotypes from susceptible ones. Of the 530 genotypes 5 showed resistance to VW, NMIL348, NMIL518, NMIL405, NMIL290, NMIL307 with mean disease leaf severity ratings, percentage defoliated leaves, disease index and percentage infected plants across three tests ranging from 0.58 -1.46, 9.46-26.74, 11.67-35.68 and 25-95%, respectively. These lines can be used as parental lines to improve VW resistance in cotton breeding programs.