Sources and Genetics of Spot Blotch Resistance to a New Pathotype of Cochliobolus sativus in the USDA National Small Grains Collection

[NGS sequencing in barley breeding and genetic studies]

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the one of the most important cereal species used as food and feed crops, as well as for malting and alcohol production. At the end of the last century, traditional breeding techniques were complemented by the use of DNA markers. Molecular markers have also been used extensively for molecular genetic mapping and QTL analysis. In 2012, the barley genome sequencing was completed, which provided a broad range of new opportunities - from a more efficient search for candidate genes controlling economically important traits to genomic selection. The review summarizes the results of the studies performed after barley genome sequencing, which discovered new areas of barley genetics and breeding with high throughput screening and genotyping methods. During this period, intensive studies aimed at identification of barley genomic loci associated with economically important traits have been carried out; online databases and tools for working with barley genomic data and their deposition have appeared and are being replenished. In recent years, GWAS analysis has been used for large-scale phenotypegenotype association studies, which has been widely used in barley since 2010 due to the developed SNP-arrays, as well as genotyping methods based on direct NGS sequencing of selected fractions of the genome. To date, more than 80 papers have been published that describe the results of the GWAS analysis in barley. SNP identification associated with economically important traits and their transformation into CAPS or KASP markers convenient for screening selection material significantly expands the possibilities of marker-assisted selection of barley. In addition, the currently available information on potential target genes and the quality of the whole barley genome sequence provides a good base for applying genome editing technologies to create material for the creation of varieties with desired properties.

Molecular Mapping of Loci Conferring Susceptibility to Spot Blotch and Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Barley Using the Sequencing-Based Genotyping Approach

Spot blotch (SB) caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana and powdery mildew (PM) caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei are two important diseases of barley. To map genetic loci controlling susceptibility and resistance to these diseases, a mapping population consisting of 138 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from the cross between Bowman and ND5883. A genetic map was constructed for the population with 852 unique single nucleotide polymorphism markers generated by sequencing-based genotyping. Bowman and ND5883 showed distinct infection responses at the seedling stage to two isolates (ND90Pr and ND85F) of Bipolaris sorokiniana and one isolate (Race I) of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. Genetic analysis of the RILs revealed that one major gene (Scs6) controls susceptibility to Bipolaris sorokiniana isolate ND90Pr, and another major gene (Mla8) confers resistance to Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei isolate Race I, respectively. Scs6 was mapped on chromosome 1H of Bowman, as previously reported. Mla8 was also mapped to the short arm of 1H, which was tightly linked but not allelic to the Rcs6/Scs6 locus. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis identified two QTLs, QSbs-1H-P1 and QSbs-7H-P1, responsible for susceptibility to spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana isolate ND85F in ND5883, which are located on chromosome 1H and 7H, respectively. QSbs-7H-P1 was mapped to the same region as Rcs5, whereas QSbs-1H-P1 may represent a novel allele conferring seedling stage susceptibility to isolate ND85F. Identification and molecular mapping of the loci for SB susceptibility and PM resistance will facilitate development of barley cultivars with resistance to the diseases.

Fine mapping of a dominant gene conferring resistance to spot blotch caused by a new pathotype of Bipolaris sorokiniana in barley

We fine-mapped and physically anchored a dominant gene (Rbs7) conferring resistance to spot blotch caused by a new pathotype of Bipolaris sorokiniana in a genomic interval of 304 kb on barley chromosome 6H. Spot blotch, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, is an economically important disease on barley in the Upper Midwest region of the USA and Prairie Provinces of Canada. A new pathotype (pathotype 7, represented by isolate ND4008) of B. sorokiniana has been identified, which is highly virulent on barley cultivars with resistance to other pathotypes of the fungus. In this study, we fine-mapped a dominant gene conferring resistance to pathotype 7 in the barley line PI 235186. Genetic analysis of the F₁ and F₂ plants from a cross between PI 356741 (highly susceptible to ND4008) and PI 235186 (highly resistant to ND4008) indicated that a single dominant gene (Rbs7) controls the resistance in PI 235186. This result was confirmed by genetic analysis of the F_2:3 families and a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the same cross. Bulked segregant analysis using simple sequence repeat markers localized Rbs7 on the short arm of chromosome 6H. Additional DNA markers were developed from the 6H pseudomolecule sequence of barley cv. Morex and mapped to the genomic region carrying Rbs7 using the RIL population and F₂ recombinants derived from the PI 356741 × PI 235186 cross. Rbs7 was fine-mapped between two markers (M13.06 and M13.37), which spans a physical distance of 304 kb on Morex chromosome 6H. These results provide a foundation for future cloning of the resistance gene and development of user-friendly molecular markers that can be used for development of spot-blotch-resistant cultivars in barley breeding programs.

Genome-Wide Association Study for Spot Blotch Resistance in Hard Winter Wheat

Spot blotch (SB) caused by Cochliobolus sativus (anamorph: Bipolaris sorokiniana) is an economically important disease of wheat worldwide. Under a severe epidemic condition, the disease can cause yield losses up to 70%. Previous approaches like bi-parental mapping for identifying SB resistant genes/QTLs exploited only a limited portion of the available genetic diversity with a lower capacity to detect polygenic traits, and had a lower marker density. In this study, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) for SB resistance in hard winter wheat association mapping panel (HWWAMP) of 294 genotypes. The HWWAMP was evaluated for response to B. sorokiniana (isolate SD40), and a range of reactions was observed with 10 resistant, 38 moderately resistant, 120 moderately resistant- moderately susceptible, 111 moderately susceptible, and 15 susceptible genotypes. GWAS using 15,590 high-quality SNPs and 294 genotypes we identified six QTLs (p = <0.001) on chromosomes 2D, 3A, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 7B that collectively explained 30% of the total variation for SB resistance. Highly associated SNPs were identified for all six QTLs, QSb.sdsu-2D.1 (SNP: Kukri_c31121_1460, R2 = 4%), QSb.sdsu-3A.1 (SNP: Excalibur_c46082_440, R2 = 4%), QSb.sdsu-4A.1 (SNP: IWA8475, R2 = 5.5%), QSb.sdsu-4B.1 (SNP: Excalibur_rep_c79414_306, R2 = 4%), QSb.sdsu-5A.1 (SNP: Kukri_rep_c104877_2166, R2 = 6%), and QSb.sdsu-7B.1 (SNP: TA005844-0160, R2 = 6%). Our study not only validates three (2D, 5A, and 7B) genomic regions identified in previous studies but also provides highly associated SNP markers for marker assisted selection. In addition, we identified three novel QTLs (QSb.sdsu-3A.1, QSb.sdsu-4A.1, and QSb.sdsu-4B.1) for SB resistance in wheat. Gene annotation analysis of the candidate regions identified nine NBS-LRR and 38 other plant defense-related protein families across multiple QTLs, and these could be used for fine mapping and further characterization of SB resistance in wheat. Comparative analysis with barley indicated the SB resistance locus on wheat chromosomes 2D, 3A, 5A, and 7B identified in our study are syntenic to the previously identified SB resistance locus on chromosomes 2H, 3H, 5H, and 7H in barley. The 10 highly resistant genotypes and SNP markers identified in our study could be very useful resources for breeding of SB resistance in wheat.

Genome-wide association study of stem rust resistance in a world collection of cultivated barley

QTL conferring a 14-40% reduction in adult plant stem rust severity to multiple races of Pgt were found on chromosome 5H and will be useful in barley breeding. Stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) is an important disease of barley. The resistance gene Rpg1 has protected the crop against stem rust losses for over 70 years in North America, but is not effective against the African Pgt race TTKSK (and its variants) nor the domestic race QCCJB. To identify resistance to these Rpg1-virulent races, the Barley iCore Collection, held by the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service National Small Grains Collection was evaluated for adult plant resistance (APR) and seedling resistance to race TTKSK and APR to race QCCJB and the Pgt TTKSK composite of races TTKSK, TTKST, TTKTK, and TTKTT. Using a genome-wide association study approach based on 6224 single nucleotide polymorphic markers, seven significant loci for stem rust resistance were identified on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 3H, and 5H. The most significant markers detected were 11_11355 and SCRI_RS_177017 at 71-75 cM on chromosome 5H, conferring APR to QCCJB and TTKSK composite. Significant markers were also detected for TTKSK seedling resistance on chromosome 5H. All markers detected on 5H were independent of the rpg4/Rpg5 complex at 152-168 cM. This study verified the importance of the 11_11355 locus in conferring APR to races QCCJB and TTKSK and suggests that it may be effective against other races in the Ug99 lineage.

Genome-Wide Association Study for Spot Blotch Resistance in Hard Winter Wheat

Spot blotch (SB) caused by Cochliobolus sativus (anamorph: Bipolaris sorokiniana) is an economically important disease of wheat worldwide. Under a severe epidemic condition, the disease can cause yield losses up to 70%. Previous approaches like bi-parental mapping for identifying SB resistant genes/QTLs exploited only a limited portion of the available genetic diversity with a lower capacity to detect polygenic traits, and had a lower marker density. In this study, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) for SB resistance in hard winter wheat association mapping panel (HWWAMP) of 294 genotypes. The HWWAMP was evaluated for response to B. sorokiniana (isolate SD40), and a range of reactions was observed with 10 resistant, 38 moderately resistant, 120 moderately resistant- moderately susceptible, 111 moderately susceptible, and 15 susceptible genotypes. GWAS using 15,590 high-quality SNPs and 294 genotypes we identified six QTLs (p = <0.001) on chromosomes 2D, 3A, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 7B that collectively explained 30% of the total variation for SB resistance. Highly associated SNPs were identified for all six QTLs, QSb.sdsu-2D.1 (SNP: Kukri_c31121_1460, R² = 4%), QSb.sdsu-3A.1 (SNP: Excalibur_c46082_440, R² = 4%), QSb.sdsu-4A.1 (SNP: IWA8475, R² = 5.5%), QSb.sdsu-4B.1 (SNP: Excalibur_rep_c79414_306, R² = 4%), QSb.sdsu-5A.1 (SNP: Kukri_rep_c104877_2166, R² = 6%), and QSb.sdsu-7B.1 (SNP: TA005844-0160, R² = 6%). Our study not only validates three (2D, 5A, and 7B) genomic regions identified in previous studies but also provides highly associated SNP markers for marker assisted selection. In addition, we identified three novel QTLs (QSb.sdsu-3A.1, QSb.sdsu-4A.1, and QSb.sdsu-4B.1) for SB resistance in wheat. Gene annotation analysis of the candidate regions identified nine NBS-LRR and 38 other plant defense-related protein families across multiple QTLs, and these could be used for fine mapping and further characterization of SB resistance in wheat. Comparative analysis with barley indicated the SB resistance locus on wheat chromosomes 2D, 3A, 5A, and 7B identified in our study are syntenic to the previously identified SB resistance locus on chromosomes 2H, 3H, 5H, and 7H in barley. The 10 highly resistant genotypes and SNP markers identified in our study could be very useful resources for breeding of SB resistance in wheat.