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Genetic loci associated with tissue-specific resistance to powdery mildew in octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)

Authors :
Samantha C. Lynn
Jim M. Dunwell
Adam B. Whitehouse
Helen M. Cockerton
Source :
Frontiers in Plant Science, Vol 15 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2024.

Abstract

Powdery mildew is one of the most problematic diseases in strawberry production. To date, few commercial strawberry cultivars are deemed to have complete resistance and as such, an extensive spray programme must be implemented to control the pathogen. Here, a large-scale field experiment was used to determine the powdery mildew resistance status of leaf and fruit tissues across a diverse panel of strawberry genotypes. This phenotypic data was used to identify Quantitative Trait Nucleotides (QTN) associated with tissue-specific powdery mildew resistance. In total, six stable QTN were found to be associated with foliar resistance, with one QTN on chromosome 7D associated with a 61% increase in resistance. In contrast to the foliage results, there were no QTN associated with fruit disease resistance and there was a high level of resistance observed on strawberry fruit, with no genetic correlation observed between fruit and foliar symptoms, indicating a tissue-specific response. Beyond the identification of genetic loci, we also demonstrate that genomic selection can lead to rapid gains in foliar resistance across genotypes, with the potential to capture >50% of the genetic foliage resistance present in the population. To date, breeding of robust powdery mildew resistance in strawberry has been impeded by the quantitative nature of natural resistance and a lack of knowledge relating to the genetic control of the trait. These results address this shortfall, through providing the community with a wealth of information that could be utilized for genomic informed breeding, implementation of which could deliver a natural resistance strategy for combatting powdery mildew.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1664462X
Volume :
15
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.b8bdc147d6b440aa1845bccbc5eb600
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1376061