A genome-wide association study for resistance to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum) race 4 in diploid cotton (Gossypium arboreum) and resistance transfer to tetraploid Gossypium hirsutum

Authors: ABDELRAHEEM, ABDELRAHEEM - New Mexico State University; ZHU, YI - New Mexico State University; Zeng, Linghe; Stetina, Salliana - Sally; ZHANG, JINFA - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/21/2024
Publication Date: 3/14/2024
Citation: Abdelraheem, A., Zhu, Y., Zeng, L., Stetina, S.R., Zhang, J. 2024. A genome-wide association study for resistance to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum) race 4 in diploid cotton (Gossypium arboreum) and resistance transfer to tetraploid Gossypium hirsutum. Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 299:30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-024-02130-9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-024-02130-9

Interpretive Summary: The cotton wilting disease is recognized as a serious problem in cotton production in U.S. This disease is caused by a soilborne fungus (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum race 4, abbreviated FOV4), invading cotton plants, causing leaf wilting and discoloring, plant stunting, death, and ultimately yield loss. There have been no FOV4 resistant plants detected in Upland cotton in the past. In our early studies, we have identified FOV4 resistant plants in Asian species. In this study, we analyzed the genome of the resistant plants in Asian species and evaluated a hybrid population derived from Upland cotton and Asian species. Results showed three major regions in the cotton genome controlling the disease resistance. This finding can be useful in understanding molecular mechanisms and genetics of FOV4 resistance. The evaluation study identified disease resistant plants in the hybrid population. The result of identifying disease resistant plants in hybrid population is a first time report of a successful transfer of resistance from Asian species into Upland cotton. This resistance will be available to cotton breeders to help develop varieties with resistance to this disease.

Technical Abstract: Fusarium wilt, caused by the soilborne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV), is a devastating disease affecting cotton worldwide. Understanding the genetic basis of resistance in diploid cotton and successfully transferring the resistance to tetraploid upland cotton are crucial for developing resistant cotton cultivars. Although numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the genetic basis of Fusarium wilt in tetraploid cotton, little research has been conducted on diploid species. In this study, an association mapping panel consisting of 246 accessions of Gossypium arboreum, was used to identify chromosomal regions for FOV race 4 (FOV4) resistance based on foliar disease severity ratings in three replicated greenhouse tests. Through a genome-wide association study based on 7,009 SNP markers, 24 FOV4 resistance QTLs, including three major QTLs on chromosomes A04, A06, and A11, were detected. A validation panel consisting of 97 diploid cotton accessions was employed, confirming the presence of several QTLs. Evaluation of an introgressed BC2F7 population derived from G. hirsutum/G. aridum/G. arboreum showed significant differences in disease incidence and mortality rate, as compared to susceptible and resistant controls, suggesting that the resistance in G. arboreum was transferred into Upland cotton for the first time. The identification of novel major resistance QTLs, along with the transfer of resistance from the diploid, expands our understanding of the genomic regions involved in conferring resistance to FOV4 and contributes to the development of resilient Upland cotton cultivars.