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Genetic loci underlying quantitative resistance to necrotrophic pathogens Sclerotinia and Diaporthe (Phomopsis), and correlated resistance to both pathogens

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Abstract

Key message

We provide results rooted in quantitative genetics, which combined with knowledge of candidate gene function, helps us to better understand the resistance to two major necrotrophic pathogens of sunflower.

Abstract

Necrotrophic pathogens can avoid or even benefit from plant defenses used against biotrophic pathogens, and thus represent a distinct challenge to plant populations in natural and agricultural systems. Sclerotinia and Phomopsis/Diaporthe are detrimental pathogens for many dicotyledonous plants, including many economically important plants. With no well-established methods to prevent infection in susceptible plants, host-plant resistance is currently the most effective strategy. Despite knowledge of a moderate, positive correlation in resistance to the two diseases in sunflower, detailed analysis of the genetics, in the same populations, has not been conducted. We present results of genome-wide analysis of resistance to both pathogens in a diversity panel of 218 domesticated sunflower genotypes of worldwide origin. We identified 14 Sclerotinia head rot and 7 Phomopsis stem canker unique QTLs, plus 1 co-located QTL for both traits, and observed extensive patterns of linkage disequilibrium between sites for both traits. Most QTLs contained one credible candidate gene, and gene families were common for the two disease resistance traits. These results suggest there has been strong, simultaneous selection for resistance to these two diseases and that a generalized mechanism for defense against these necrotrophic pathogens exists.

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Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Megan Ramsett and Dr. Nikolay Balbyshev in coordinating the phenotyping activities that resulted in this work. We also acknowledge the help of Dr. Febina Mathew in confirming the identity of the Phomopsis species that was present in our phenotyping trials for PSC, and Dr. William Underwood for thoughtful conversations about gene candidates. Dr. Susan M. Thompson of Agri-Science Queensland (Australia) contributed to phenotyping for PSC while on sabbatical. Bayer CropScience, CHS, Dow AgroSciences, and Winfield Solutions kindly provided land for the trials at Sabin, Grandin, Rothsay, Onida, and Crookston. North Dakota State University kindly provided land and field pathology assistance for the Carrington site. This work was supported by USDA-Agricultural Research Service CRIS Projects 5442-21220-024-00D and 3060-21000-043-00D, the National Sclerotinia Initiative of USDA-Agricultural Research Service, and the National Sunflower Association checkoff grant program. This research was also supported by BARD, the United States - Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund, Vaadia-BARD Postdoctoral Fellowship Award No. FI-577-2018.

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Author notes

  1. Cloe S. Pogoda and Stephan Reinert contributed equally.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Colorado, 1900 Pleasant Street, 334 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309-0334, USA

    Cloe S. Pogoda, Stephan Reinert, Ziv Attia, Erin C. E. Collier-zans & Nolan C. Kane

  2. Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, 166 Loftsgard Hall, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, USA

    Zahirul I. Talukder

  3. USDA-ARS Edward T Schafer Agricultural Research Center, 1616 Albrecht Blvd. N., Fargo, ND, 58102-2765, USA

    Thomas J. Gulya & Brent S. Hulke

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  1. Cloe S. Pogoda
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Contributions

BSH and TJG initiated the project and designed the phenotyping study. NCK, CSP, BSH, and ECEC designed and implemented sequencing of the sunflower lines and genotype data generation. TJG, ZIT, and BSH carried out the field experiments and analyzed the data for GWAS input values. SR, ZIT, ZA, and CSP performed statistical analysis and wrote the majority of the manuscript. All of the authors assisted in revision of the manuscript and read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Brent S. Hulke.

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Communicated by Volker Hahn.

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Thomas J. Gulya retired.

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Pogoda, C.S., Reinert, S., Talukder, Z.I. et al. Genetic loci underlying quantitative resistance to necrotrophic pathogens Sclerotinia and Diaporthe (Phomopsis), and correlated resistance to both pathogens. Theor Appl Genet 134, 249–259 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-020-03694-x

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