Identification of quantitative trait loci conferring resistance to tan spot in a biparental population derived from two Nebraska hard red winter wheat cultivars

Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora triticirepentis (Ptr), is a destructive foliar disease in all types of cultivated wheat worldwide. Genetics of tan spot resistance in wheat is complex, involving insensitivity to fungal-produced necrotrophic effectors (NEs), major resistance genes, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring race-nonspecific and race-specific resistance. The Nebraska hard red winter wheat (HRWW) cultivar ‘Wesley’ is insensitive to Ptr ToxA and highly resistant to multiple Ptr races, but the genetics of resistance in this cultivar is unknown. In this study, we used a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between Wesley and another Nebraska cultivar ‘Harry’ (Ptr ToxA sensitive and highly susceptible) to identify QTL associated with reaction to tan spot caused by multiple races/isolates. Sensitivity to Ptr ToxA conferred by the Tsn1 gene was mapped to chromosome 5B as expected. The Tsn1 locus was a major susceptibility QTL for the race 1 and race 2 isolates, but not for the race 2 isolate with the ToxA gene deleted. A second major susceptibility QTL was identified for all the Ptr ToxC-producing isolates and located to the distal end of the chromosome 1A, which likely corresponds to the Tsc1 locus. Three additional QTL with minor effects were identified on chromosomes 7A, 7B, and 7D. This work indicates that both Ptr ToxA-Tsn1 and Ptr ToxC-Tsc1 interactions are important for tan spot development in winter wheat, and Wesley is highly resistant largely due to the absence of the two tan spot sensitivity genes

Evaluation and Association Mapping of Resistance to Tan Spot and Stagonospora Nodorum Blotch in Adapted Winter Wheat Germplasm

Tan spot and Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB), often occurring together, are two economically significant diseases of wheat in the Northern Great Plains of the United States. They are caused by the fungi Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Parastagonospora nodorum, respectively, both of which produce multiple necrotrophic effectors (NE) to cause disease. In this work, 120 hard red winter wheat (HRWW) cultivars or elite lines, mostly from the United States, were evaluated in the greenhouse for their reactions to the two diseases as well as NE produced by the two pathogens. One P. nodorum isolate (Sn4) and four Pyrenophora tritici-repentis isolates (Pti2, 331-9, DW5, and AR CrossB10) were used separately in the disease evaluations. NE sensitivity evaluation included ToxA, Ptr ToxB, SnTox1, and SnTox3. The numbers of lines that were rated highly resistant to individual isolates ranged from 11 (9%) to 30 (25%) but only six lines (5%) were highly resistant to all isolates, indicating limited sources of resistance to both diseases in the U.S. adapted HRWW germplasm. Sensitivity to ToxA was identified in 83 (69%) of the lines and significantly correlated with disease caused by Sn4 and Pti2, whereas sensitivity to other NE was present at much lower frequency and had no significant association with disease. As expected, association mapping located ToxA and SnTox3 sensitivity to chromosome arm 5BL and 5BS, respectively. A total of 24 potential quantitative trait loci was identified with −log (P value) \u3e 3.0 on 12 chromosomes, some of which are novel. This work provides valuable information and tools for HRWW production and breeding in the Northern Great Plains

Genetic Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Resistance to Wheat Tan Spot Using Two Bi-Parental Populations

Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr), is an economically important disease on both common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum (T. turgidum L. ssp. durum). Genetics of resistance to tan spot is complicated and needs to be further investigated for breeding cultivars with more complete resistance. The objective of this study was to map and characterize genetic resistance in two wheat bi-parental popuations. In Louise × Penawawa population, four quantative trait loci (QTL) were identified and the major race-nonspecific QTL, designated as QTs.zhl-3BL, was shown to have epistatis and additive effect on Ptr ToxA-Tsn1, Ptr ToxC-Tsc1 interactions, respectively. Nine QTL were identified in the Lebsock × PI 94749 population with three likely being novel. This work improves our understanding of genetic resistance to tan spot and provides important tools for breeding resistant cultivars

Biology of Wheat: Pyrenonphora tritici-repentis Interaction

Tan spot of wheat, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is an economically important disease worldwide. The disease system is known to involve three pairs of interactions between fungal-produced necrotrophic effectors (NEs) and the wheat sensitivity genes, namely Ptr ToxA-Tsn1, Ptr ToxB-Tsc2 and Ptr ToxC-Tsc1, all of which result in susceptibility. Many lines of evidence also suggested the involvement of additional fungal virulence and host resistance factors. Due to the non-proteinaceous nature, Ptr ToxC, has not been purified and the fungal gene (s) controlling Ptr ToxC production is unknown. The objective for the first part of research is to map the fungal gene (s) controlling Ptr ToxC production. Therefore, A bi-parental fungal population segregating for Ptr ToxC production was first developed from genetically modified heterothallic strains of AR CrossB10 (Ptr ToxC producer) and 86-124 (Ptr ToxC non-producer), and then was genotyped and phenotyped. Using the data, the gene (s) was mapped to the distal end of chromosome 2 in the reference genome of Pt-1c-BFP. The objective for the second part of my research is to develop genomic and genetic resources for the fungal pathogen. A high quality of genome sequence for AR CrossB10 and the first P. tritici-repentis genetic linkage map was generated. The AR CrossB10 genome and genetic linkage map is highly comparable to newly published reference genome except some noticeable chromosomal structural variations (SVs). Comparison of the genome sequences between parental isolates and twenty progeny isolates also revealed some SVs including deletion, insertion and inversion were detected that likely occurred during the fungal sexual reproduction. The objective for the third of my research is to characterize genetic resistance in Nebraskan winter wheat cultivar ?Wesley? using QTL mapping in a recombinant inbred line population. The results showed that resistance in Wesley is largely due to the lack of susceptibility genes Tsc1 and Tsn1. My Ph.D. research provides a further understanding of the genetics of host-pathogen interaction in wheat tan spot and contributes knowledge and tools for breeding tan spot resistant cultivars.USDA-NIFA-AFRINorth Dakota Wheat Commissio

Identification of quantitative trait loci conferring resistance to tan spot in a biparental population derived from two Nebraska hard red winter wheat cultivars

Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora triticirepentis (Ptr), is a destructive foliar disease in all types of cultivated wheat worldwide. Genetics of tan spot resistance in wheat is complex, involving insensitivity to fungal-produced necrotrophic effectors (NEs), major resistance genes, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring race-nonspecific and race-specific resistance. The Nebraska hard red winter wheat (HRWW) cultivar ‘Wesley’ is insensitive to Ptr ToxA and highly resistant to multiple Ptr races, but the genetics of resistance in this cultivar is unknown. In this study, we used a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between Wesley and another Nebraska cultivar ‘Harry’ (Ptr ToxA sensitive and highly susceptible) to identify QTL associated with reaction to tan spot caused by multiple races/isolates. Sensitivity to Ptr ToxA conferred by the Tsn1 gene was mapped to chromosome 5B as expected. The Tsn1 locus was a major susceptibility QTL for the race 1 and race 2 isolates, but not for the race 2 isolate with the ToxA gene deleted. A second major susceptibility QTL was identified for all the Ptr ToxC-producing isolates and located to the distal end of the chromosome 1A, which likely corresponds to the Tsc1 locus. Three additional QTL with minor effects were identified on chromosomes 7A, 7B, and 7D. This work indicates that both Ptr ToxA-Tsn1 and Ptr ToxC-Tsc1 interactions are important for tan spot development in winter wheat, and Wesley is highly resistant largely due to the absence of the two tan spot sensitivity genes

The Necrotrophic Pathogen Parastagonospora nodorum Is a Master Manipulator of Wheat Defense

Parastagonospora nodorum is a necrotrophic pathogen of wheat that is particularly destructive in major wheat-growing regions of the United States, northern Europe, Australia, and South America. P. nodorum secretes necrotrophic effectors that target wheat susceptibility genes to induce programmed cell death (PCD), resulting in increased colonization of host tissue and, ultimately, sporulation to complete its pathogenic life cycle. Intensive research over the last two decades has led to the functional characterization of five proteinaceous necrotrophic effectors, SnTox1, SnToxA, SnTox267, SnTox3, and SnTox5, and three wheat susceptibility genes, Tsn1, Snn1, and Snn3D-1. Functional characterization has revealed that these effectors, in addition to inducing PCD, have additional roles in pathogenesis, including chitin binding that results in protection from wheat chitinases, blocking defense response signaling, and facilitating plant colonization. There are still large gaps in our understanding of how this necrotrophic pathogen is successfully manipulating wheat defense to complete its life cycle. This review summarizes our current knowledge, identifies knowledge gaps, and provides a summary of well-developed tools and resources currently available to study the P. nodorum–wheat interaction, which has become a model for necrotrophic specialist interactions. Further functional characterization of the effectors involved in this interaction and work toward a complete understanding of how P. nodorum manipulates wheat defense will provide fundamental knowledge about this and other necrotrophic interactions. Additionally, a broader understanding of this interaction will contribute to the successful management of Septoria nodorum blotch disease on wheat. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license

A conserved hypothetical gene is required but not sufficient for Ptr ToxC production in Pyrenophora tritici-repentis.

The fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr) causes tan spot, an important foliar disease of wheat worldwide. The fungal pathogen produce three necrotrophic effectors, namely Ptr ToxA, Ptr ToxB and Ptr ToxC to induce necrosis or chlorosis in wheat. Both Ptr ToxA and Ptr ToxB are proteins, and their encoding genes have been cloned. Ptr ToxC was characterized as a low-molecular-weight molecule 20 years ago but the gene(s) controlling its production in Ptr are unknown. Here, we report the genetic mapping, molecular cloning and functional analysis of a fungal gene that is required for Ptr ToxC production. The genetic locus controlling the production of Ptr ToxC, termed as ToxC, was mapped to a subtelomeric region using segregating bi-parental populations, genome sequencing, and association analysis. Additional marker analysis further delimited ToxC to a 173 kb region. The predicted genes in the region were examined for presence/absence polymorphism in different races/isolates leading to the identification of a single candidate gene. Functional validation showed that this gene was required but not sufficient for Ptr ToxC production, thus it is designated as ToxC1. ToxC1 encoded a conserved hypothetical protein likely located on the vacuole membrane. The gene was highly expressed during infection, and only one haplotype was identified among 120 isolates sequenced. Our work suggests that Ptr ToxC is not a protein and is likely produced through a cascade of biosynthetic pathway. The identification of ToxC1 is a major first step towards revealing the Ptr ToxC biosynthetic pathway and studying its molecular interactions with host factors