Tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum) lines from the United States as a source of Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) resistance

Authors: Subramanyam, Subhashree

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2024
Publication Date: 2/17/2024
Citation: Subramanyam, S.N. 2024. Tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum) lines from the United States as a source of Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) resistance. Journal of Applied Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13240.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13240

Interpretive Summary: Hessian fly is a destructive pest of wheat causing severe damage to wheat production globally. New and novel sources of Hessian fly resistant cultivars are needed that can be used for native resistance and in breeding programs to develop robust insect-resistant wheat lines. In the current study, a total of 374 wheat cultivars from different regions within the United States were evaluated for resistance to Hessian fly. Three pasta wheat cultivars, one originating from North Dakota and 2 others from Minnesota showed resistance to multiple forms (technically called as ‘biotypes’) of Hessian fly when tested at 20°C. Although at higher temperatures of 30°C these three cultivars are unable to maintain their resistance to Hessian fly and are not suitable in regions with higher environmental temperatures, these three wheat lines can offer breeders additional sources of Hessian fly resistance for developing elite Hessian fly-resistant cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Deploying resistant wheat cultivars is the most economical and environmental-friendly strategy to manage the devastating effects of the dipteran pest, Hessian fly (Hf; Mayetiola destructor). Currently, 37 Hf resistance genes have been identified to combat the 18 Hf genotypes documented so far. However, the Hf populations adapt rapidly to overcome the newly deployed resistance genes within a few years of release resulting in development of virulent Hf biotypes and breakdown of plant resistance. Identification of new and novel sources of resistance offers breeders additional resources that can be included in the breeding programs to develop elite Hf-resistant cultivars. In the current study, we screened 374 wheat (tetraploid and hexaploid) accessions originating from different regions of United States and identified three tetraploid pasta wheat lines, one originating from North Dakota (PI 639869) and two from Minnesota (PI 352398 and CItr 15710) exhibiting =95% resistance to Hf biotype L at 20°C. Further, the wheat cultivar PI 352398 showed 100% resistance to six additional Hf genotypes including biotypes B, C, D, O, GP and vH13. The lines PI 639869 and CItr 15710 also showed >70 % resistance with most biotypes, except against biotype GP with the former and biotype B with the latter. Interestingly, a few plants from these two cultivars exhibited tolerance to these biotypes where the plants showed normal growth but harbored white, live larvae and showed cell permeability that was intermediate in levels between Hf-infested resistant and susceptible wheat. Additionally, none of the three resistant wheat cultivars were resistant to Hf biotype L at 30°C indicating a temperature-dependent breakdown of resistance and are therefore not suitable for geographical regions with higher environmental temperatures. Taken together, these three wheat lines represent additional sources of Hf resistance that can be leveraged by breeders for developing durable elite lines.