QTL analysis of durable stripe rust resistance in the North American winter wheat cultivar Skiles.

KEY MESSAGE: This study determined the effects of growth stage and temperature on expression of high-temperature adult-plant resistance to stripe rust, mapped six QTL for durable resistance in winter wheat Skiles using a doubled haploid population, and selected breeding lines with different combinations of the QTL using marker-assisted selection. The winter wheat cultivar Skiles has a high level of high-temperature adult-plant (HTAP) resistance to stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). The Skiles HTAP resistance was highly effective at the adult-plant stage even under low temperatures, but high temperatures induced earlier expression and increased levels of resistance. To map resistance genes, Skiles was crossed with the susceptible cultivar Avocet S and a doubled haploid (DH) population was developed. The DH population was tested in fields at Pullman, WA, in 2016, 2017 and 2018, Mount Vernon, WA, in 2017 and 2018 under natural infection, and an environmentally controlled greenhouse at the adult-plant stage with the currently predominant race PSTv-37. The population was genotyped using the 90 K Illumina iSelect wheat SNP chip and selected SSR markers on specific chromosomes. In total, 2526 polymorphic markers were used for QTL mapping and six QTL were detected. Two of the six QTL had major effects across all environments, with one mapped on chromosome 3BS, explaining up to 28.2% of the phenotypic variation and the other on chromosome 4BL, explaining up to 41.8%. Minor QTL were mapped on chromosomes 1BL, 5AL, 6B and 7DL. Genotyping 140 wheat cultivars from the US Pacific Northwest revealed high polymorphism of markers for five of the QTL, and five highly resistant lines with the five QTL were selected from Skiles-derived breeding lines using the markers. This study demonstrated that multiple QTL with mostly additive effects contributed to the high-level HTAP resistance in Skiles.

Life history of the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (Homoptera: Aphididae), on transgenic and untransformed wheat challenged with barley yellow dwarf virus.

The life history of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) was monitored on transgenic and untransformed (soft white winter wheat plants that were infected with Barley yellow dwarf virus (BLDV), noninfected, or challenged with virus-free aphids under laboratory conditions. Two transgenic soft white winter wheat genotypes (103.1J and 126.02) derived from the parental variety Lambert and expressing the barley yellow dwarf virus coat protein gene, and two untransformed varieties, virus-susceptible Lambert and virus-tolerant Caldwell, were tested. B. padi nymphal development was significantly longer on the transgenic genotypes infected with BYDV, compared with noninfected transgenic plants. In contrast, nymphal development on Lambert was significantly shorter on BYDV-infected than on noninfected plants. Nymphal development on noninfected Lambert was significantly longer than on noninfected transgenics. No significant difference in nymphal development period was detected between virus-infected and noninfected Caldwell. Aphid total fecundity, length of reproductive period, and intrinsic rate of increase were significantly reduced on BYDV-infected transgenic plants compared with BYDV-infected Lambert. In contrast, reproductive period, total adult fecundity, and intrinsic rate of increase on noninfected Lambert were significantly reduced compared with noninfected transgenics. Transgenic plants infected with BYDV were inferior hosts for R. padi compared with infected Lambert. However, noninfected transgenics were superior hosts for aphids than noninfected Lambert. Moderate resistance to BYDV, as indicated by a significantly lower virus titer, was detected in the transgenic genotypes compared with the untransformed ones. Results show for the first time that transgenic virus resistance in wheat can indirectly influence R. padi life history.

Visualization of A- and B-genome chromosomes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) x jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host) backcross progenies.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) can cross with each other, and their self-fertile backcross progenies frequently have extra chromosomes and chromosome segments, presumably retained from wheat, raising the possibility that a herbicide resistance gene might transfer from wheat to jointed goatgrass. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was used to clarify the origin of these extra chromosomes. By using T. durum DNA (AABB genome) as a probe and jointed goatgrass DNA (CCDD genome) as blocking DNA, one, two, and three A- or B-genome chromosomes were identified in three BC2S2 individuals where 2n = 29, 30, and 31 chromosomes, respectively. A translocation between wheat and jointed goatgrass chromosomes was also detected in an individual with 30 chromosomes. In pollen mother cells with meiotic configuration of 14 II + 2 I, the two univalents were identified as being retained from the A or B genome of wheat. By using Ae. markgrafii DNA (CC genome) as a probe and wheat DNA (AABBDD genome) as blocking DNA. 14 C-genome chromosomes were visualized in all BC2S2 individuals. The GISH procedure provides a powerful tool to detect the A or B-genome chromatin in a jointed goatgrass background, making it possible to assess the risk of transfer of herbicide resistance genes located on the A or B genome of wheat to jointed goatgrass.

In vitro selection for Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum).

The Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) is a pest on wheat (Triticum aestivum) in many regions of the world. The aphid injects a phytotoxin when it feeds. Identification of somaclonal variants with phytotoxin resistance may shorten development time for resistance. Wheat calli from the susceptible cultivar 'Stephens' were exposed to an extract from the aphid. Five plants were regenerated from 100 treated calli. Resistance to the aphid was observed in both the R2 and R3 generations. One of the six R3 populations had improved resistance for leaf curling and leaf folding, while another had improved response for chlorosis damage. These results indicate that the use of aphid extract on wheat callus offers an alternate method for development of resistance to the Russian wheat aphid.

Effects of an intercultivaral chromosome substitution on winterhardiness and vernalization in wheat.

During a study on the genetic control of winterhardiness in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. group aestivum), a gene that affected vernalization was found on chromosome 3B in the winter wheat cultivar ;Wichita.' When chromosome 3B from Wichita was substituted into the winter wheat cultivar ;Cheyenne,' the resultant substitution line exhibited a spring growth habit. This is unusual since a cross between the cultivars Wichita and Cheyenne results in progeny that exhibit the winter growth habit. The F(2) plants from a cross of the 3B substitution line to Cheyenne, the recipient parent, segregated 3:1 for heading/no heading response in the absence of vernalization (chi(2) = 2.44). Earliness of heading appeared to be due to an additive effect of the 3B gene as shown by the segregation ratio 1:2:1 (early heading-later heading-no heading) (chi(2) = 2.74). This vernalization gene differs from previously described vernalization genes because, while dominant in a Cheyenne background, its expression is suppressed in Wichita. The gene may have an effect on winter hardiness in Wichita. In a field test for winter survival the 3B substitution line had only 5% survival, while Wichita and Cheyenne had 50 and 80% survival, respectively. No other substitution line significantly reduced winter survival. The difference between Wichita and Cheyenne in winterhardiness may be due to the vernalization gene carried on the 3B chromosome.