To identify loci linked to nematode resistance genes, a total of 126 of CIMMYT advanced spring wheat lines adapted to semi-arid conditions were screened for resistance to Heterodera avenae, Pratylenchus neglectus, and P. thornei, of which 107 lines were genotyped with 1,310 DArT. Association of DArT markers with nematode response was analyzed using the general linear model. Results showed that 11 markers were associated with resistance to H. avenae (pathotype Ha21), 25 markers with resistance to P. neglectus, and 9 significant markers were identified to be linked with resistance to P. thornei. In this work we confirmed that chromosome 4A (~90–105 cM) can be a source of resistance to P. thornei as has been recently reported. Other significant markers were also identified on chromosomal regions where no resistant genes have been reported for both nematodes species. These novel QTL were mapped to chromosomes 5A, 6A, and 7A for H. avenae; on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 3A, 3B, 6B, 7AS, and 7D for P. neglectus; and on chromosomes 1D, 2A, and 5B for P. thornei and represent potentially new loci linked to resistance that may be useful for selecting parents and deploying resistance into elite germplasm adapted to regions where nematodes are causing problem.

Cereal cyst nematodes (CCNs) can cause significant economic yield losses alone or in combination with other biotic and abiotic factors. The damage caused by these nematodes can be enormous when they occur in a disease complex, particularly in areas subject to water stress. Of the 12 valid CCN species, Heterodera avenae, H. filipjevi, and H. latipons are considered the most economically important in different parts of the world. This paper reviews current approaches to managing CCNs via genetic resistance, biological agents, cultural practices, and chemical strategies. Recent research within the soil borne pathogen program of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center has focused on germplasm screening, the potential of this germplasm as sources of resistance, and how to incorporate new sources of resistance into breeding programs. Breeding for resistance is particularly complicated and difficult when different species and pathotypes coexist in nature. A lack of expertise and recognition of CCNs as a factor limiting wheat production potential, combined with inappropriate breeding strategies and slow screening processes limit genetic gains for resistance to CCNs.

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Development of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) synthetics started at CIMMYT-Mexico in 2004, when winter durum wheat (Triticum turgidum) germplasm from Ukraine and Romania was crossed with Aegilops tauschii accessions from the Caspian Sea region. Chromosomes were doubled after pollination and embryo rescue, but chromosome number and cytological validation was not performed. F2 populations were grown in Mexico and were shipped to Turkey in 2008. During 2009–2015, these populations were subjected to rigorous pedigree selection under dry, cold, disease-affected environments of the Central Anatolian Plateau. The wide segregation and partial sterility observed in 2009 gradually decreased and, by 2016, most of the F8 single spike progenies demonstrated good fertility and agronomic performance. Since 2013, lines have been selected from synthetic populations and evaluated at multiple sites. Superior lines were characterized for resistance to leaf, stripe and stem rust, plant height, and reaction to common bunt and soil-borne pathogens. Thousand kernel weight of many lines exceeded 50 g, compared with the check varieties that barely reached 40 g. Threshability of synthetic lines varied from 0 to 95%, demonstrating genetic variation for this important domestication trait. Screening against Hessian fly, sunny pest and Russian wheat aphid identified several resistant genotypes. Both durum and Aegilops parents affected synthetic wheat traits. Several studies are underway to reveal the genetic diversity of synthetic lines and the basis of resistance to diseases and insects. This synthetic germplasm represents a new winter bread wheat parental pool. It is available upon request to interested breeding/research programmes.

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The cyst nematode Heterodera filipjevi is a plant parasite causing substantial yield loss in wheat. Resistant cultivars are the preferred method of controlling cyst nematodes. Association mapping is a powerful approach to detect associations between phenotypic variation and genetic polymorphisms; in this way favorable traits such as resistance to pathogens can be located. Therefore, a genome-wide association study of 161 winter wheat accessions was performed with a 90K iSelect single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. Population structure analysis grouped into two major subgroups and first principal component accounted 6.16% for phenotypic diversity. The genome-wide linkage disequilibrium across wheat was 3 cM. Eleven quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes 1AL, 2AS, 2BL, 3AL, 3BL, 4AS, 4AL, 5BL, and 7BL were identified using a mixed linear model false discovery rate of P < 0.01 that explained 43% of total genetic variation. This is the first report of QTLs conferring resistance to H. filipjevi in wheat. Eight QTLs on chromosomes 1AL, 2AS, 2BL, 3AL, 4AL, and 5BL were linked to putative genes known to be involved in plant-pathogen interactions. Two other QTLs on 3BL and one QTL on 7BL linked to putative genes known to be involved in abiotic stress.

Genetic resistance against biotic stress is a major goal in many wheat breeding programs. However, modern wheat cultivars have a limited genetic variation for disease and pest resistance and there is always a possibility of the evolution of new diseases and pests to overcome previously identified resistance genes. A total of 125 synthetic hexaploid wheats (SHWs; 2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD, Triticum aestivum L.) were characterized for resistance to fungal pathogens that cause wheat rusts (leaf; Puccinia triticina, stem; P. graminis f.sp. tritici, and stripe; P. striiformis f.sp. tritici) and crown rot (Fusarium spp.); cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera spp.); and Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor). A wide range of genetic variation was observed among SHWs for multiple (two to five) biotic stresses and 17 SHWs that were resistant to more than two stresses. The genomic regions and potential candidate genes conferring resistance to these biotic stresses were identified from a genome-wide association study (GWAS). This GWAS study identified 124 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) for multiple biotic stresses and 33 of these were found within genes. Furthermore, 16 of the 33 MTAs present within genes had annotations suggesting their potential role in disease resistance. These results will be valuable for pyramiding novel genes/genomic regions conferring resistance to multiple biotic stresses from SHWs into elite bread wheat cultivars and providing further insights on a wide range of stress resistance in wheat.