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Wheat powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is one of the most important wheat diseases worldwide. The basis for wheat powdery mildew resistance breeding consists of screening diversified host genetic resources with a range of races of the powdery mildew pathogen. Spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta 2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD) is a close relative of common wheat (T. aestivum ssp. aestivum) and contains several known disease resistance genes, including Pm1d, Yr5, and Lr65. Here, we report the identification and mapping of a powdery mildew resistance gene in spelt wheat cultivar Hubel, which was introduced to China from Europe and is resistant to Chinese Bgt isolate E09 at the seedling stage. Genetic analysis of a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross of Hubel and a susceptible early maturing mutant line indicated that Hubel possessed a recessive powdery mildew resistance gene (temporarily designated MlHubel). Markers linked to MlHubel were identified using bulked segregant analysis, simple sequence repeat, and expressed sequence tag-derived sequence tagged site methods. The linked markers were physically located on wheat chromosome 2D. Comparative genomic analysis indicated that the genetic interval covering MlHubel in wheat is highly colinear with the corresponding regions on Brachypodium distachyon chromosome 5 and Oryza sativa chromosome 4. Accordingly, the genetic map of MlHubel was established in comparison with B. distachyon 5L and O. sativa 4L, with the closest marker Xgwm265 being 0.4 cM from MlHubel. The identification of the recessive powdery mildew gene in spelt wheat suggests the potential of this accession along with its closely linked markers in breeding for resistance to powdery mildew.

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is an important foliar disease of wheat worldwide. Wild emmer (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) is a valuable genetic resource for improving disease resistance in common wheat. A powdery mildew resistance gene conferring resistance to B. graminis f. sp. tritici isolate E09 at the seedling and adult stages was identified in wild emmer accession IW170 introduced from Israel. An incomplete dominant gene, temporarily designated MlIW170, was responsible for the resistance. Through molecular marker and bulked segregant analyses of an F(2) population and F(3) families derived from a cross between susceptible durum wheat line 81086A and IW170, MlIW170 was located in the distal chromosome bin 2BS3-0.84-1.00 and flanked by SSR markers Xcfd238 and Xwmc243. MlIW170 co-segregated with Xcau516, an STS marker developed from RFLP marker Xwg516 that co-segregated with powdery mildew resistance gene Pm26 on 2BS. Four EST-STS markers, BE498358, BF201235, BQ160080, and BF146221, were integrated into the genetic linkage map of MlIW170. Three AFLP markers, XPaacMcac, XPagcMcta, XPaacMcag, and seven AFLP-derived SCAR markers, XcauG2, XcauG3, XcauG6, XcauG8, XcauG10, XcauG20, and XcauG25, were linked to MlIW170. XcauG3, a resistance gene analog (RGA)-like sequence, co-segregated with MlIW170. The non-glaucousness locus Iw1 was 18.77 cM distal to MlIW170. By comparative genomics of wheat-Brachypodium-rice genomic co-linearity, four EST-STS markers, CJ658408, CJ945509, BQ169830, CJ945085, and one STS marker XP2430, were developed and MlIW170 was mapped in an 2.69 cM interval that is co-linear with a 131 kb genomic region in Brachypodium and a 105 kb genomic region in rice. Four RGA-like sequences annotated in the orthologous Brachypodium genomic region could serve as chromosome landing target regions for map-based cloning of MlIW170.

Powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici is one of the most important wheat diseases worldwide and breeding for resistance using diversified disease resistance genes is the most promising approach to prevent outbreaks of powdery mildew. A powdery mildew resistance gene, originating from wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) accessions collected from Israel, has been transferred into the hexaploid wheat line 3D232 through crossing and backcrossing. Inoculation results with 21 B. graminis f. sp. tritici races indicated that 3D232 is resistant to all of the powdery mildew isolates tested. Genetic analyses of 3D232 using an F2 segregating population and F3 families indicated that a single dominant gene, Ml3D232, confers resistance in the host seedling stage. By applying molecular markers and bulked segregant analysis (BSA), we have identified polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSR), expressed sequence tags (EST) and derived sequence tagged site (STS) markers to determine that the Ml3D232 is located on chromosome 5BL bin 0.59–0.76. Comparative genetic analyses using mapped EST markers and genome sequences of rice and Brachypodium established co-linearity of the Ml3D232 genomic region with a 1.4 Mb genomic region on Brachypodium distachyon chromosome 4, and a 1.2 Mb contig located on the Oryza sativa chromosome 9. Our comparative approach enabled us to develop new EST–STS markers and to delimit the genomic region carrying Ml3D232 to a 0.8 cM segment that is collinear with a 558 kb region on B. distachyon. Eight EST markers, including an NBS-LRR analog, co-segregated with Ml3D232 to provide a target site for fine genetic mapping, chromosome landing and map-based cloning of the powdery mildew resistance gene. This newly developed common wheat germplasm provides broad-spectrum resistance to powdery mildew and a valuable resource for wheat breeding programs.

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is an important disease for wheat production, both in China and worldwide. In laboratory studies spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) landrace Altgold was resistant to P. triticina races THT and PHT and genetic analysis indicated that it possessed a dominant leaf rust resistance gene, temporarily designated LrAlt. F6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross with the susceptible common wheat cultivar Nongda 3338 were used to map LrAlt with SSR markers. The resistance gene was distal to SSR loci Xbarc212, Xwmc382, Xgwm636, and Xwmc407 on the short arm of chromosome 2A. The closest markers Xbarc212 and Xwmc382 which co-segregated were 1.8 cM away from LrAlt. The relationships of LrAlt and other wheat leaf rust resistance genes located on the short arm of chromosome 2A were discussed, suggesting that LrAlt might be a new leaf rust resistance gene.

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most important wheat diseases worldwide in areas with cool or maritime climates. Wild emmer (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) is an important potential donor of disease resistances and other traits for common wheat improvement. A powdery mildew resistance gene was transferred from wild emmer accession G-303-1M to susceptible common wheat by crossing and backcrossing, resulting in inbred line P63 (Yanda1817/G-303-1 M//3*Jing411, BC(2)F(6)). Genetic analysis of an F(2) population and the F(2:3) families developed from a cross of P63 and a susceptible common wheat line Xuezao showed that the powdery mildew resistance in P63 was controlled by a single recessive gene. Molecular markers and bulked segregant analysis were used to characterize and map the powdery mildew resistance gene. Nine genomic SSR markers (Xbarc7, Xbarc55, Xgwm148, Xgwm257, Xwmc35, Xwmc154, Xwmc257, Xwmc382, Xwmc477), five AFLP-derived SCAR markers (XcauG3, XcauG6, XcauG10, XcauG20, XcauG22), three EST-STS markers (BQ160080, BQ160588, BF146221) and one RFLP-derived STS marker (Xcau516) were linked to the resistance gene, designated pm42, in P63. pm42 was physically mapped on chromosome 2BS bin 0.75-0.84 using Chinese Spring nullisomic-tetrasomic, ditelosomic and deletion lines, and was estimated to be more than 30 cM proximal to Xcau516, a RFLP-derived STS marker that co-segregated with the wild emmer-derived Pm26 which should be physically located in 2BS distal bin 0.84-1.00. pm42 was highly effective against 18 of 21 differential Chinese isolates of B. graminis f. sp. tritici. The closely linked molecular markers will enable the rapid transfer of pm42 to wheat breeding populations thus adding to their genetic diversity.

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most important wheat diseases worldwide. Pyramiding different resistance genes into single cultivar has been proposed as one remedy to provide durable resistance. Powdery mildew resistance genes Pm12 (T6BS-6SS.6SL), transferred from Aegilops speltoides to wheat cv. Wembley, and Pm21 (T6VS.6AL), introduced from Dasypyrum villosum to wheat cv. Yangmai5, conferred broad-spectrum resistance to B. graminis f. sp. tritici. Both Pm12 and Pm21 genes are located on the short arms of homologous group six involved translocated chromosomes 6SS.6BL and 6VS.6AL, respectively. Simple sequence repeat motifs of wheat simple sequence repeat (SSR) and expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences on the short arm of homologous group six chromosomes were analyzed to develop molecular markers for discriminating chromosome arms 6AS, 6BS, 6DS, 6VS, and 6SS. One EST–SSR marker, Xcau127, was polymorphic, and therefore can be used to distinguish the two resistance genes and the respective susceptible alleles. This marker allowed us to develop an efficient “one-marker-for-two-genes” procedure for identifying powdery mildew resistance genes Pm12 and Pm21 for marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding in wheat breeding programs.

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is a devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in China and worldwide, causing severe yield losses annually. Wild emmer (T. dicoccoides) accession IW72 collected from Israel is resistant to powdery mildew at the seedling and adult stages. Genetic analysis indicated that the resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene, temporarily designated MlIW72. The F2 population and F3 families derived from a hybrid between IW72 and susceptible durum wheat line Mo75 were used for molecular mapping of the resistance gene. MlIW72 was linked with SSR loci Xgwm344, Xcfa2040, Xcfa2240, Xcfa2257 and Xwmc525 on the long arm of chromosome 7A. In addition, two STS markers, MAG2185 (derived from RFLP marker PSR680) and MAG1759 (developed from EST CD452874), were mapped close to MlIW72. All these markers were physically located in the terminal bin 0.86–1.00 of 7AL. The chromosome location and genetic mapping results suggested that the powdery mildew resistance gene identified in wild emmer accession IW72 might be a new allele at the Pm1 locus or a new locus closely linked to Pm1.

Pm12, transferred from Aegilops speltoides (2n = 2x = 14, genome SS) to wheat, confers effective resistance to powdery mildew worldwide. By applying bulked segregant analysis in a BC3F2 segregating population consisting of 305 plants, 18 wheat genomic and EST-SSR markers linked to the resistance gene were identified. Pm12 was located in the 6SS portion of the T6BS-6SS.6SL translocation chromosome based on the physical bin positions of the genomic and EST-SSR markers in the Chinese Spring group six deletion stocks and their linkage relationship to the resistance gene. Twenty eight recombinants among 305 F2 plants indicated a low frequency of recombination between the alien chromosome segment and wheat chromosome 6B. Since recombination events occurred on both sides of Pm12, the materials generated provide opportunities for further reduction of alien chromatin by intercrossing selected individuals and using markers to select the required plants.

The powdery mildew resistance has been transferred from an Israeli wild emmer (Triticum dicoccoides) accession "G-305-M" into common wheat by crossing and backcrossing (G-305-M/781//Jing 411*3). Genetic analysis showed that the resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene at the seedling stage. Among the 102 pairs of SSR primers tested, four polymorphic microsatellite markers (Xpsp3029, Xpsp3071, Xpsp3152 and Xgwm570) from the long arm of chromosome 6A were mapped in a BC(2)F(3) population segregating for powdery mildew resistance and consisting of 167 plants. The genetic distances between the resistance gene and these four markers were: 0.6 cM to Xpsp3029, 3.1 cM to Xpsp3071, 11.2 cM to Xpsp3152 and 20.4 cM to Xgwm570, respectively. The order of these microsatellite loci agreed well with the established microsatellite map of chromosome arm 6AL. We concluded that the resistance gene was located on the long arm of chromosome 6AL. Based on the origin and chromosomal location of the gene, it is suggested that the resistance gene derived from "G-305-M" is a novel powdery mildew resistance gene and is temporarily designated MlG.

Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe graminis f. sp. tritici is one of the most important wheat diseases in many regions of theworld. A powdery mildew resistance gene, originating from wild emmerwheat (Triticum dicoccoides) accession `C20', from Rosh Pinna, Israel,was successfully transferred to hexaploid wheat through crossing andbackcrossing. Genetic analysis indicated that a single dominant genecontrols the powdery mildew resistance at the seedling stage. SegregatingBC1F2 progenies of the cross 87-1/C20//2*8866 wereused for bulked segregant analysis (BSA). The PCR approach was used togenerate polymorphic DNA fragments between the resistant and susceptibleDNA pools by use of 10-mer random primers, STS primers, and wheatmicrosatellite primers. Three markers, Xgwm159/430,Xgwm159/460, and Xgwm159/500, were found to be linked tothe resistance gene. After evaluating the polymorphic markers in twosegregating populations, the distance between the markers and the mildewresistance gene was estimated to be 5–6 cM. By means of ChineseSpring nullisomic-tetrasomics and ditelosomics, the polymorphic markersand the resistance gene were assigned to chromosome arm 5BS and werephysically mapped on the gene rich regions of fragment length (FL) 0.41–0.43 by Chinese Spring deletion lines. As no powdery mildew resistancegene has been reported on chromosome arm 5BS, the mildew resistancegene originating from C20 should be a new gene and is designated Pm30.

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most important wheat diseases in the world. In this study, a single dominant powdery mildew resistance gene MlIW172 was identified in the IW172 wild emmer accession and mapped to the distal region of chromosome arm 7AL (bin7AL-16-0.86-0.90) via molecular marker analysis. MlIW172 was closely linked with the RFLP probe Xpsr680-derived STS marker Xmag2185 and the EST markers BE405531 and BE637476. This suggested that MlIW172 might be allelic to the Pm1 locus or a new locus closely linked to Pm1. By screening genomic BAC library of durum wheat cv. Langdon and 7AL-specific BAC library of hexaploid wheat cv. Chinese Spring, and after analyzing genome scaffolds of Triticum urartu containing the marker sequences, additional markers were developed to construct a fine genetic linkage map on the MlIW172 locus region and to delineate the resistance gene within a 0.48 cM interval. Comparative genetics analyses using ESTs and RFLP probe sequences flanking the MlIW172 region against other grass species revealed a general co-linearity in this region with the orthologous genomic regions of rice chromosome 6, Brachypodium chromosome 1, and sorghum chromosome 10. However, orthologous resistance gene-like RGA sequences were only present in wheat and Brachypodium. The BAC contigs and sequence scaffolds that we have developed provide a framework for the physical mapping and map-based cloning of MlIW172.

Specific oligonucleotide primers, designed for the sequences of known plant disease resistance genes, were used to amplify resistance gene analogues (RGAs) from wheat genomic DNA. This method was applied in a bulked segregant analysis to screen for the RGA markers linked to the powdery mildew resistance gene Pm31, introgressed into common wheat from wild emmer. Two RGA markers (RGA200 and RGA390) were found to be closely linked to Pm31 and completely co-segregating with the marker allele of Xpsp3029 linked to Pm31, with a genetic distance of 0.6 cM. These two RGA markers were then integrated into the formerly established microsatellite map of Pm31 region. The result showed the effectiveness of the RGA approach for developing molecular markers linked to disease resistance genes and demonstrated the efficiency of denaturing polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis for detecting polymerase chain reaction polymorphism.

Yellow rust of wheat caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici has been periodically epidemic and severely damaged wheat production in China and throughout the world. Breeding for resistant cultivars has been proved to be an effective way to resolve the problem. A yellow rust resistance gene, Yr5, derived from Triticum spelta shows immunity or high resistance to the most popular isolates Tiaozhong 30 and 31 in China. Establishment of DNA markers for the Yr5 gene will facilitate marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding in the breeding programme. Since the Yr5 gene was cytologically located on the long arm of chromosome 2B, By33. the donor of Yr5, was crossed and backcrossed with the susceptible line 441, and BC 3 F 2 and BC 3 F 3 segregating populations were screened for polymorphism by using 11 microsatellite primers mapped on chromosome 2B. A marker, Xgwm501-195 bp/160 bp, was found to be linked to Yr5, with a genetic distance of 10.5-13.3 cM.

Powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici is an important wheat disease in China and other parts of the world. Wild emmer (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) is the immediate progenitor of cultivated tetraploid and hexaploid wheats and thus an important resource for wheat improvement. Wild emmer accession IW2 collected from Mount Hermon, Israel, is highly resistant to powdery mildew at the seedling and adult plant stages. Genetic analysis using an F(2) segregating population and F(2:3) families, derived from a cross between susceptible durum cultivar Langdon and wild emmer accession IW2, indicated that a single dominant gene was responsible for the resistance of IW2. Bulked segregant and molecular marker analyses detected that six polymorphic SSR, one ISBP, and three EST-STS markers on chromosome 3BL bin 0.63-1.00 were linked to the resistance gene. Allelic variations of resistance-linked EST-STS marker BE489472 revealed that the allele was present only in wild emmer but absent in common wheat. Segregation distortion was observed for the powdery mildew resistance allele and its linked SSR markers with preferential transmission of Langdon alleles over IW2 alleles. The resistance gene was introgressed into common wheat by backcrossing and marker-assisted selection. Since no designated powdery mildew resistance gene has been found on chromosome 3BL, the resistance gene derived from wild emmer accession IW2 appears to be new one and was consequently designated Pm41.