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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Cereal Crops Improvement Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #411912
Research Project: Improvement of Disease and Pest Resistance in Barley, Durum, Oat, and Wheat Using Genetics and Genomics

Location: Cereal Crops Improvement Research

Title: Haplotype and transcriptome analyses reveal genes and gene regions that promote FHB resistance in spring wheat

Author
item THAPA, SITTAL - North Dakota State University
item POUDEL, BIKASH - Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
item Bai, Guihua
item Xu, Steven
item Fiedler, Jason

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2024
Publication Date: 1/15/2024
Citation: Thapa, S., Poudel, B., Bai, G., Xu, S.S., Fiedler, J.D. 2024. Haplotype and transcriptome analyses reveal genes and gene regions that promote FHB resistance in spring wheat. Meeting Abstract. Poster Number PE0378.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a devastating disease of small cereal grains that affects all growing regions throughout the world. Apart from yield and economic losses associated with the disease, toxicity of the deposited mycotoxins in the grain impact human and animal health. Control of this disease involves spraying of costly, biologically, and ecologically hazardous chemicals, and identifying and deploying genetic resistance. Several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with disease resistance have been identified, of which seven were officially given gene names (Fhb1..Fhb7). Chinese spring wheat Sumai3 stands as the most important and best characterized variety being the source for three major QTLs for FHB viz., Fhb1, Fhb2 and Fhb5. Interestingly, this FHB-resistant cultivar was developed by crossing two moderately susceptible parents, “Funo” and “Taiwanxiaomai”, which suggests that the resistance was inherited by appropriate combinations for favorable haplotype blocks. This study aims to decipher those specific combinations of haplotype blocks in Sumai3 and trace the movement of resistance-associated gene regions across various derivatives. Whole genome sequencing of the Sumai3 along with resequencing of several resistance lines was carried out and the haplotype blocks were characterized. Coupled with RNASeq information, we aim to explore expression patterns of resistance-associated genes and their connection to these defined haplotype blocks. Preliminary analysis has shown that the entire 3B chromosome in Sumai3 harboring Fhb1 was inherited by a single parent, Taiwanxiaomai. But contradictorily, Taiwanxiaomai possessing this chromosome is moderately susceptible, suggesting Funo-derived genes are necessary for strong resistance. Furthermore, Fhb1 introgression into adapted germplasm sometimes does not result in lines with the expected level of resistance and identification of co-inherited gene regions was explored. This comprehensive analysis of the genomes of these important sources of FHB-resistance will expand our knowledge of what is required to combat disease and help with the development of molecular markers to track important linkage blocks in breeding germplasm.