Identification and characterization of leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum) related genes in domesticated wheat varieties in Mongolia

Wheat is recognized as the major crop among all cereals. For better quality and disease-free production, the current study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of genetic leaf rust resistance and fusarium head blight in nineteen genotypes of wheat, which are commonly grown in Mongolia. For example Khalkhgol-1, Darkhan-131, Darkhan-160, Darkhan-144, Orkhon, Darkhan-34, Darkhan-74, Darkhan-193, Altaiskaya-100, Darkhan-181, Darkhan-141, Buryatskaya osistiya, Darkhan-166, Buryatskaya-79, Buryatskaya-34, Selenge, Altaiskaya-530, Altaiskaya-325 and Altaiskaya jinitsa genotypes. The presence of Lr34 and Fhbt1 genes were evaluated for leaf rust and fusarium head blight respectively. Lr34 gene was reported in the Darkhan-160 and Darkhan-181 genotypes, while fusarium head blight was not reported in any of the genotype

Comparison of Fusarium head blight resistance in cytoplasmic male sterile, maintainer and restorer lines in winter wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB, caused by Fusarium graminearum) is a severe disease which threatens the yield and quality of harvested grain products, and hence causes major economic losses in wheat (Triticum spp.) and other small grain cereals. One of the infection routes for the pathogen is believed to be through the extruded anther. In order to study the role of the anther on FHB infection, FHB resistance was measured among wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars with non-extruded infertile anthers in cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines and with extruded fertile anthers in their alloplasmic maintainer lines, and in an unrelated restorer line. We artificially inoculated the lines with F. graminearum (isolate NE 90) at 1.0 × 105 or 2.0 × 105 spores mL−1 for 72 or 96 hours. The results indicated that CMS cultivars were significantly more resistant than the maintainer and restorer cultivars. As the CMS lines differed from the maintainer lines by cytoplasm, anther health, anther extrusion, and seed set, additional experiments are needed to determine the role of each factor in infection. However, this research indicates that fertile anthers most likely are an important part of the infection pathway and of susceptibility to FHB

Buffalograss germplasm resistance to Blissus occiduus (Hemiptera : Lygaeidae)

Plant germplasm collections may offer genetic variability useful in identifying insect resistance. The goal of this project was to evaluate buffalograss genotypes [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] for resistance to the chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae). and to relate resistance to ploidy level, chinch bug number, and pubescence. Forty-eight buffalograss genotypes from diverse geographic locations were evaluated in replicated studies under greenhouse conditions. Of the genotypes studied, four were highly resistant, 22 were moderately resistant. 19 were moderately susceptible, and three were highly susceptible to chinch bug, damage. The mean number of chinch bugs was significantly different among the 48 genotypes. There was no significant correlation between chinch bug resistance and ploidy level or chinch bug resistance and pubescence. These results indicate the genetic source of resistance to chinch bugs exists in buffalograss germplasm. Highly resistant genotypes call be used in breeding programs to further improve buffalograss cultivars