Journal Article

Genome-wide association analysis identifies a consistent QTL for powdery mildew resistance on chromosome 3A in Nordic and Baltic spring wheat

Ingver, Anne, Armonienė, Rita, Brazauskas, Gintaras, Strazdiņa, Vija, Meigas, Egon, Islamov, Bulat, Lin, Min, Kollist, Hannes, Lillemo, Morten, Aleliūnas, Andrius, Bleidere, Māra, Tamm, Ilmar, Gorash, Andrii

2024

Overview

Powdery mildew, caused by the biotrophic fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, poses a significant threat to bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), one of the world’s most crucial cereal crops. Enhancing cultivar resistance against this devastating disease requires a comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis of powdery mildew resistance. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using extensive field trial data from multiple environments across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Norway. The study involved a diverse panel of recent wheat cultivars and breeding lines sourced from the Baltic region and Norway. We identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 3A, designated as QPm.NOBAL-3A, which consistently conferred high resistance to powdery mildew across various environments and countries. Furthermore, the consistency of the QTL haplotype effect was validated using an independent Norwegian spring wheat panel. Subsequent greenhouse seedling inoculations with 15 representative powdery mildew isolates on a subset of the GWAS panel indicated that this QTL provides adult plant resistance and is likely of race non-specific nature. Moreover, we developed and validated KASP markers for QPm.NOBAL-3A tailored for use in breeding. These findings provide a critical foundation for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs aimed at pyramiding resistance QTL/genes to achieve durable and broad-spectrum resistance against powdery mildew.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Agricultural research / Agriculture / Analysis / Ascomycota - genetics / Association analysis / Biochemistry / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Blumeria graminis / Care and treatment / Chromosome Mapping / Chromosomes / Chromosomes, Plant - genetics / Control / Cultivars / Diagnosis / Disease resistance / Disease Resistance - genetics / Diseases and pests / Estonia / field experimentation / fungi / Genes, Plant / Genetic aspects / Genome-wide association studies / Genome-Wide Association Study / Genomes / greenhouses / Growth / Haplotypes / Inoculation / Latvia / Life Sciences / Lithuania / Marker-assisted selection / mature plants / Methods / Norway / Original / Original Article / pathogens / Plant Biochemistry / Plant Breeding / Plant Breeding/Biotechnology / Plant Diseases - genetics / Plant Diseases - microbiology / Plant Genetics and Genomics / Plant immunology / Plant protection / Plant resistance / Powdery mildew / Powdery mildew diseases / Quantitative Trait Loci / seedlings / spring wheat / Triticum - genetics / Triticum - microbiology / Triticum aestivum / Wheat