Genetic sources and loci for wheat head blast resistance identified by genome-wide association analysis

The emergence and spread of wheat blast caused by fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum is a threat to global wheat production.The resistance level and genetic loci for blast resistance in Chinese germplasm remain unknown.A panel of 266 bread wheat accessions from China,CIMMYTMexico and other countries was screened for head blast resistance under 12 field experiments in Bolivia and Bangladesh.Subsequently,a genome-wide association study was performed to understand the genetic basis of wheat blast resistance.The average blast index of all the accessions was 53.7%±12.7%,and 10 accessions including Chinese accessions Yumai 10 and Yu 02321 showed moderate to high levels of blast resistance,accounting for only 3.8%in the panel.Fifty-eight significant SNPs clustered in a 28.9 Mb interval on the 2 AS/2 NS translocation region,explaining phenotypic variation between10.0%and 35.0%.The frequency of the 2 AS/2 NS translocation in the Chinese accessions was as low as4.5%.These results indicated that the 2 NS fragment was the only major locus conferring resistance to wheat blast in this panel,and the resistant and moderately resistant lines identified could be deployed in breeding.

Phenotypic and Molecular Assessment of Wheat Genotypes Tolerant to Leaf Blight,Rust and Blast Diseases

Globally among biotic stresses,diseases like blight,rust and blast constitute prime constraints for reducing wheat productivity especially in Bangladesh.For sustainable productivity,the development of disease-resistant lines and high yielding varieties is vital and necessary.This study was conducted using 122 advanced breeding lines of wheat including 21 varieties developed by Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute with aims to identify genotypes having high yield potential and resistant to leaf blight,leaf rust and blast diseases.These genotypes were evaluated for resistance against leaf blight and leaf rust at Dinajpur and wheat blast at Jashore under field condition.Out of 122 genotypes tested,20 lines were selected as resistant to leaf blight based on the area under the diseases progress curve under both irrigated timely sown and irrigated late sown conditions.Forty-two genotypes were found completely free from leaf rust infection,59 genotypes were identified as resistant,and 13 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to leaf rust.Eighteen genotypes were immune against wheat blast,42 genotypes were categorized as resistant,and 26 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to wheat blast.Molecular data revealed that the 16 genotypes showed a positive 2NS segment among the 18 immune genotypes selected against wheat blast under field conditions.The genotypes BAW 1322,BAW 1295,and BAW 1203 can be used as earlier maturing genotypes and the genotypes BAW 1372,BAW 1373,BAW 1297 and BAW 1364 can be used for lodging tolerant due to short plant height.The genotypes WMRI Gom 1,BAW 1349 and BAW 1350 can be selected for bold grain and the genotypes WMRI Gom 1,BAW 1297,BAW 1377 can be used as high yielder for optimum seeding condition but genotypes BAW 1377 and BAW 1366 can be used for late sown condition.The selected resistant genotypes against specific diseases can be used in the further breeding program to develop wheat varieties having higher disease resistance and yield potential.