Molecular markers for identification of resistance genes for leaf rust and stripe rust in wheat breeding programs Abstract uri icon

abstract

  • Wheat breeding programs frequently use molecular markers (MM) for the selection of genotypes with desirable characteristics. Disease resistance is one of them and the Lr34 gene has conferred durable resistance to leaf rust (LR) and provides durable and non-specific adult plant resistance. Lr34, located on chromosome 7D, was cloned in 2009 and this gene codes for a putative ABC transporter. Among the MMs used for this gene is csLV, a STS marker linked to Lr34. The nucleotide sequence of Lr34 spans 11,805 bp and consists of 24 exons. Lagudah in 2009 compared different cultivars and found only two distinct haplotypes, a susceptible -Lr34 and a resistant +Lr34 haplotype. The two haplotypes differed in only three nucleotide polymorphisms, two of which were located in exons. One of the polymorphisms comprise a 3 bp deletion in exon 11 of Lr34. This sequence polymorphisms in exon 11 of the Lr34 gene, was used to develop perfect markers cssfr5 (functional markers) used in this work, that unambiguously detect the presence or absence of this multipathogen resistance trait in a wide range of wheat genotypes. In addition, stripe rust (SR) is one of the most aggressive diseases on common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The preferred way of controlling the disease is through the use of resistant varieties. There are several genes that can express resistance to this disease. However, changes in pathogen virulence can render them useless for breeding after some time. In 2018 Marchal et al. cloned Yr5 and showed that it is allelic to YrSP and belongs to a complex resistance gene cluster on chromosome 2B encoding nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat proteins (NLRs) with a distinct N-terminal zinc-finger BED domain. The objective of this work was to select F6 wheat lines from the INTA EEA Paraná wheat breeding program for the presence of genes that confer resistance to LR and SR. Of the 476 wheat lines tested, 36.77% were classified as carriers of the gene for resistance to RH (they have both markers: csLV and cssfr5) and the same percentage was obtained for genotypes carrying the YrSP gene that gives resistance to stripe rust. Likewise, 13.65% turned out to be carriers of both Lr34 and YrSP genes. With this information, the wheat lines with disease resistance genes LR and SR were selected, which would grant partial resistance to the mentioned pathogens. This selection made it possible to reduce the number of lines that will continue to be evaluated in the next crop cycle, achieving greater efficiency in the breeding program.

publication date

  • September 2022