Chromosomal location in common wheat of a gene (Cmcl) from Aegilops squarrosa that conditions resistance to colonization by the wheat curl mite

Abstract

Wheat streak mosaic is a destructive disease of wheat caused by wheat streak mosaic virus. Wheat streak mosaic virus is vectored by the wheat curl mite (Eriophyes tulipae Keifer). A single dominant gene conditioning resistance to colonization by the mite vector was transferred from Aegilops squarrosa L. to a synthetic amphiploid (AC PGR 16635) and then to common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.) through backcrossing. Because of its origin, the transferred gene was probably located in the D genome. Monosomics 1D through 7D were crossed with a homozygous resistant line with the pedigree Norstar*4/AC PGR 16635. Both 41- and 42-chromosome F1 plants were identified and selfed to obtain F2 seed. The observed proportion of resistant and susceptible plants in 6 of the 7 F2 families from monosomics, and in all 7 of the F2s from disomics, did not deviate significantly from a 3:1 ratio. However, the proportion of resistant plants from the F2 of monosomic 6D was significantly (p < 0.01) in excess of this ratio and susceptible plants from this family were nullisomic for all or part of 6D. In crosses with standard ditelosomic stocks, telocentrics from a ditelosomic derivative of susceptible individual of this F2 paired with 6D(L) but failed to pair with 6D(S). The F2 of heterozygous resistant plants that were monotelodisomic for the long arm of 6D(L) segregated approximately 19 resistant to 1 susceptible, while those from monotelodisomics for the short arm segregated normally (3 resistant to 1 susceptible, p = 0.27). These data show that the gene Cmcl for mite resistance is located on the short arm of chromosome 6D. Key words: Aegilops squarrosa, wheat streak mosaic virus.