Inheritance and Allelic Relationships of Alectra vogelii Benth. Resistance Genes in Cowpea Genotypes B301 and KVx414-22-2

Alectra vogelii Benth. is the second most important parasitic weed in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] production in Burkina Faso. Several resistant varieties to this weed have been identified in the country among which are B301 and KVx414-22-2. The inheritance and allelic relationships of the resistance genes in the two varieties have not been studied with A. vogelii strains in Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance and allelic relationship of the resistance genes in B301 and KVx414-22-2. To determine the inheritance of the genes for resistance, the resistant varieties (B301 and KVx414-22-2) were each crossed to a susceptible variety IT82D-849 to generate F1 and F2 populations. For the allelic relationship study the two resistant genotypes were crossed among themselves to generate F1 and F2 offspring. The parents and their F1 and F2 progenies were screened in artificially infested pots with Alectra seed in a screen house at Kamboinsé Research Station in Burkina Faso. Resistance/susceptibility of genotypes was assessed by recording the number of emerged Alectra shoots. The data were subjected to the Chi-Square goodness-of-fit test for one, two and three genes segregation ratios. The results revealed that two independent dominant genes confer resistance in the variety B301 and a single dominant gene confers resistance in variety KVx414-22-2. The single dominant gene in KVx414-22-2 is non-allelic to the two genes in B301. The two resistance genes in variety B301 have already been named Rav1 and Rav2 whilst Rav3 is the name of the resistance gene in variety IT81D-994. Therefore, we propose the symbol Rav4 as the name for the resistance gene in variety KVx414-22-2.

Inheritance and Expressivity of Neoplasm Trait in Crosses between the Domestic Pea (Pisum sativum subsp. sativum) and Tall Wild Pea (Pisum sativum subsp. elatius)

The Neoplasm trait in pea pods is reported to be due to the lack of ultraviolet (UV) light in glasshouse conditions or in response to pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum L.) damage. This pod deformation arises from the growth of non-meristematic tissue on pods of domesticated peas (Pisum sativum L. subsp. sativum). Neither expressivity, nor the effect of pea weevil on neoplasm in the tall wild pea (P. sativum L. subsp. elatius (M. Bieb.) Asch. & Graebn.), have been adequately studied. We aimed to study the expression and inheritance of neoplasm in the tall wild pea and crosses between domesticated and tall wild peas grown in the glasshouse (without pea weevils) and in the field (with pea weevils) under natural infestation conditions. Neoplasm was found in all pods in tall wild peas when grown in the glasshouse, while it was not detected on pods of field-grown plants despite heavy pea weevil damage. In inter-subspecific crosses between P. sativum subsp. sativum and P. sativum subsp. elatius, all F1 plants had neoplastic pods, and the F2 populations segregated in a good fit ratio of 3 (neoplasm): 1 (free from neoplasm) under glasshouse conditions, which suggests that neoplasm on pods of the tall wild pea was controlled by a single dominant gene. Expressivity of neoplasm in the progeny differed from parent to parent used in inter-subspecific crosses. There was no relationship between neoplasm and damage by pea weevil under heavy insect epidemics under field conditions. The neoplasm occurring under glasshouse conditions may be due to one or to a combination of environmental factors. Since wild peas are useful genetic resources for breeding programs aiming at fresh pea production that could be utilized under glasshouse conditions, negative selection could be considered in segregating populations.

Genetics of white rust resistance in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and its validation on using molecular markers

White rust resistance loci (AcB1-A4.1 and AcB1-A5.1) associated with intron polymorphic (IP) markers i.e. At5g41560 and At2g36360, respectively, were used for validation of P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1F1 and BC2F1 generations. The donor parents namely, Bio-YSR and BEC-144 produced desired banding pattern of 430 and 750 bp while recipients viz., NRCHB 101 and DRMR-150-35 exhibited different pattern from donors confirming white rust resistance loci 4.1 and 5.1 with marker At5g41560 and At2g36360, respectively. Confirmation of these set of two IP markers in the parents and F1s lead us to further screening of selected F2, BC1F1 and BC2F1 populations. Available data on white rust reaction in different generations under study revealed that single dominant gene is responsible for white rust resistance. Potential of molecular markers in developing white rust resistant genotypes is proved under present study.

Genetics of stem rust resistance in four popular durum wheat cultivars

A study was conducted to understand the mode of inheritance and extent of diversity of stem rust resistance in four popular durum wheat cultivars of central India viz., HI 8498 (Malav Shakti), HI 8663 (Poshan), HI 8713 (Pusa Mangal) and HI 8737 (Pusa Anmol) using Puccinia graminis tritici (Pgt) pathotypes 15-1 (123G15) and 40-3 (127G29). These cultivars were crossed with susceptible parents i.e., Motia and Malvi Local and were also crossed among themselves in half diallel fashion. The F2 and F3 segregation data revealed that a single dominant gene each controlled resistance to the pathotype 40-3 in HI 8713 and HI 8663, while two dominant genes each governed resistance to this pathotype in HI 8737 and HI 8498. A single dominant gene each conditioned resistance to the pathotype 15-1 in all the four cultivars. The F2 segregation data of the intercrosses among the resistant parents showed that three different resistance genes controlled resistance among four cultivars against each Pgt pathotype 40-3 and 15-1. These genes seem to be different from the most commonly postulated stem rust resistance genes in Indian durum wheat germplasm viz., Sr11, Sr12, Sr7b and Sr9e which are ineffective/less effective against the test pathotypes. Hence, the genes identified in the present study can be utilized in broadening the genetic base of stem rust resistance in Indian durum wheat.

Hybridization between resistant and susceptible fenugreek accessions and evaluation of Cercospora leaf spot resistance in segregating generations

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by Cercospora traversoana, is an important phyto-pathological problem of self-pollinated fenugreek (Trigonella-foenum graecum). Developing resistant genotypes in crop plants has been considered the best option to control diseases for economic, environmental, and social reasons. However, before this can be accomplished, knowledge about the inheritance of disease-resistant genes is necessary for creating high-yielding resistant genotypes. One susceptible fenugreek cultivar, Tristar, and two resistant accessions L3717 and PI138687 were used in two-way crosses using hand emasculation and pollination technique in a greenhouse. F1 plants were grown in a greenhouse and allowed to grow till maturity to produce F2 seeds. Some flowers from F1 plants were crossed back to both resistant and susceptible parents separately to generate backcross (BC1) seeds. Parents, F1, F2, and BC1 populations were grown in the greenhouse using a RCBD with four replications. Plants were inoculated 30 d after sowing with a suspension of C. traversoana at 2 × 105 conidia mL−1. Symptoms were observed and rated on individual plants 25 d after inoculation, and plants were categorized according to susceptible or resistant reactions based on rating scores. Mean disease score was significantly different (p < 0.0001) among generations. In both the cross combinations, results showed CLS resistance in fenugreek (from L3717 and PI138687) was governed by a single dominant gene which is moderately heritable (46% narrow sense heritability). This indicates a relatively simple pathway for transfer of genes to adapted fenugreek cultivars.

Genetic analysis of sugarcane brown rust resistance genes in wild sugarcane germplasm Erianthus rockii ‘Yundian 95-19’ and Erianthus rockii ‘Yundian 95-20’

We assessed inheritance of resistance to sugarcane brown rust (Puccinia melanocephala) in selfing F1 populations of wild sugarcane germplasm Erianthus rockii ‘Yundian 95-19’ and E. rockii ‘Yundian 95-20’. We tested parent and selfing F1 individuals for the brown rust resistance gene, Bru1, that has been shown to confer resistance to brown rust in sugarcane. The Bru1 gene was not detected in E. rockii ‘Yundian 95-19’, E. rockii ‘Yundian 95-20’ or their selfing F1 individuals, and we found there was segregation of resistance in the two selfing F1 populations (segregation ratio: 3:1). The results confirmed resistance in E. rockii ‘Yundian 95-19’ and E. rockii ‘Yundian 95-20’ to sugarcane brown rust is controlled by a novel, single dominant gene.

Inheritance and Allelic Relationship Among Downy Mildew Resistance Genes in Pearl Millet

Pearl millet downy mildew (DM), caused by Sclerospora graminicola, is of serious economic concern to pearl millet farmers in the major crop-growing areas of the world. To study the inheritance and allelic relationship among genes governing resistance to this disease, three DM-resistant pearl millet lines (834B, IP 18294-P1, and IP 18298-P1) and one susceptible line (81B) were selected on the basis of disease reaction under greenhouse conditions against two isolates of S. graminicola (Sg 526-1 and Sg 542-1). Three resistant parents were crossed with the susceptible parent to generate F1, F2, and backcross BC1P1 (susceptible parent × F1) and BC1P2 (resistant parent × F1) generations for inheritance study. To carry out a test for allelism, the three resistant parents were crossed with each other to generate F1 and F2 generations. The different generations of these crosses were screened for disease reaction against two isolates (Sg 526-1 and Sg 542-1) by artificial inoculation under greenhouse conditions. The segregation pattern of resistance in the F2 and corresponding backcross generations revealed that resistance to DM is controlled by a single dominant gene in 834B and IP 18294-P1 and by two dominant genes in IP 18298-P1. A test for allelism inferred that a single dominant gene for resistance in 834B is nonallelic to that which governs resistance in IP 18294-1, whereas one of the two dominant genes for DM resistance in IP 18298-P1 against the test isolates is allelic to the gene for DM resistance in 834B and a second gene is allelic to the resistance gene present in IP 18294-P1.

Sunflower breeding for resistance to the new races of broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) in Romania

The actual spectrum of the broomrape races in Romania has changed. The study of the sunflower differential set for the broomrape races, under natural and artificial infestation demonstrated the existence of a new spectrum of these races. We assigned the new race with F and the corresponding gene for resistance, with Or6 gene. In our breeding work for resistance to this new race of the parasite, the results we have this far achieved in introducing genes for resistance to broomrape into sunflower value inbred lines are important. Our use of convergent crosses based on transgressive recombination has proven very suitable as a method for incorporating resistance genes into standard sunflower lines. The χ² test has shown the inheritance of resistance to be controlled by a single dominant gene. The results have also confirmed that the presence of broomrape in plant materials can be diagnosed very early in the season using a modification of the Pancenko method. An assessment made 40 days after sowing showed that broomrape plants were for the most part well developed by that time.