Integrated genome‐wide association study and QTL mapping reveals qSa‐3A associated with English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) resistance in wheat

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThe English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), is a devastating pest impacts yield and quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Breeding resistant wheat varieties and detecting resistance genes are important strategies to control aphid.RESULTSIn this study, we evaluated the number of aphids per spike, the rate of thousand kernel weight decrease and aphid index based on three classic resistance mechanisms (antibiosis, tolerance and antixenosis), and detected SNPs/QTLs for resistance to S. avenae in a natural population of 163 varieties with 20 689 high‐quality single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 164 lines with 3627 diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers. Results showed that 83 loci significantly associated with S. avenae antibiosis and 182 loci significantly associated with S. avenae tolerance were detected by genome‐wide association study (GWAS), explaining 6.47–15.82% and 8.36–35.61% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. The wsnp_Ku_c4568_8243646 detected in two periods was localized at 34.52 Mb on chromosome 3AS. Then, we confirmed a stable QSa.haust‐3A.2 explained 11.19–20.10% of the phenotypic variances in two periods with S. avenae antixenosis in the physical interval of 37.49–37.50 Mb on chromosome 3A in the RIL population. Therefore, a narrow region in the physical interval of 34.52–37.50 Mb on chromosome 3AS was named as qSa‐3A, which was a new locus between wsnp_Ku_c4568_8243646 and QSa.haust‐3A.2 associated with S. avenae resistance.CONCLUSIONWe found qSa‐3A was a new locus associated with S. avenae resistance. The results could be applied in gene cloning and genetic improvement of S. avenae resistance in wheat. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Examining Innovative Technologies: Nano-Chelated Fertilizers for Management of Wheat Aphid (Schizaphis graminum Rondani)

“…Considering that research on S. graminum has been ongoing for several years and most reports on its pathogenicity date back to past years, recent studies continue to focus on its control and life cycle, highlighting the significance of this pest. Recent studies have primarily focused on controlling the wheat aphid through various approaches, including the use of Bacillus subtilis [ 11 ], predators such as ladybirds [ 12 ], soil amendments [ 13 ], insecticides [ 14 ], as well as genetic resistance techniques like QTL mapping [ 15 ]. Recently, the use of nano-materials as another component of integrated pest management, aiming to enhance plant resistance and weaken pest infestation, has received significant attention [ 16 ].…”

Identification of Candidate Genes for English Grain Aphid Resistance from QTLs Using a RIL Population in Wheat

“…The aphids that severely affect wheat production around the world are the English grain aphid (EGA) (Sitobion avenae F.), Russian wheat aphid (RWA) (Diuraphis noxia M.), greenbug (Schizaphis graminam R.), bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.), etc. [4][5][6]. Among them, the EGA is one of the most destructive of the aphid species in wheat-planting areas worldwide [7,8].…”

“…This results in annual wheat yield losses ranging from 15 to 30% and as high as 60% in severe cases [6,12].…”

“…This approach enables precise selection and incorporation of EGA resistance into new wheat varieties. Furthermore, EGA resistance in wheat exhibited a typical quantitative trait inheritance pattern [6]. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis has proved an effective approach to dissect a complicated quantitative trait into component loci and is an effective strategy for crop improvement [29,30].…”

“…One major QTL, QSa3.haust-3D, was identified for EGA resistance on 3DL between 550.25 and 552.98 Mb in Chinese Spring (CS) RefSeq v1.1 [36], and eight putative candidate genes were identified from this region [36]. Zhao et al [6] identified a new locus of qSa-3A for EGA resistance in a narrow region of 34.52-37.50 Mb on chromosome 3AS. They identified nine important loci and nine QTLs using genome-wide association study (GWAS) and QTL analysis, respectively, providing the physical intervals in the reference genome CS RefSeq v1.1 [36].…”