Increasing Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Breeding Resources in Bread Wheat
Date
2023-04-18
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium spp., is a destructive disease of cereal crops globally. It causes decreased yield, loss of quality, and potential mycotoxin contamination of harvested grain. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are required to mitigate the effects of FHB; using cultural control methods, appropriate fungicide application, and planting varieties with moderate or higher resistance ratings are used in combination. Planting a variety with elevated resistance is a vital component to IPM; however, there are limited resistant varieties available to producers. Breeding for FHB resistance is complicated, and sources of resistance are few. A continual search is ongoing for novel sources of resistance and other resources to aid in breeding efforts. The objective of this thesis is to aid in this search for novel sources of resistance and additional resources. Within this thesis, 11 minor and one major quantitative trait loci were identified in a RIL population with Agropyron repens L. ancestry; a wild relative to wheat identified as a possible source of FHB resistance. A detached leaf assay was also investigated in the hopes of saving time and resources in FHB resistance breeding. One moderately, inverse correlation was identified between incubation time and deoxynivalenol content in barley. Additionally, a phenotypic evaluation and preliminary Genome Wide Association Study was performed on Plant Gene Resources of Canada accessions. Four accessions were identified to have elevated FHB resistance based on best linear unbiased predictors. Thirteen SNPs were also associated with resistance within the population. The results of this thesis will aid wheat breeders in their efforts to breed for FHB resistance.
Description
Keywords
Fusarium head blight, bread wheat
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Plant Sciences
Program
Plant Sciences