Tree Genetics & Genomes

, Volume 7, Issue 3, pp 597–608 | Cite as

Genetic mapping of rust resistance loci in biomass willow

  • Steven J. Hanley
  • Ming H. Pei
  • Stephen J. Powers
  • Carmen Ruiz
  • Mark D. Mallott
  • Jacqueline H. A. Barker
  • Angela Karp
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

Rust diseases caused by Melampsora spp. represent a major threat to the productivity of short rotation coppice (SRC) willows grown for biomass, causing yield losses of up to 40%. The routine use of fungicide in SRC plantations is not a viable option because of economic and environmental considerations; thus, breeding for rust resistance is a major target for willow breeding programmes. To characterise the genetic basis of rust resistance in willow and provide targets for use in future marker-assisted selections, quantitative trait analyses were performed using a large full-sib mapping population (K8) which segregates for rust resistance and several other important agronomic traits. Rust resistance in field conditions was assessed in three consecutive years. For a more detailed genetic dissection, laboratory inoculation tests using isolates of two distinct and prevalent pathotypes (LET1 and LET5) were also performed. For field-based resistance, a major quantitative resistance locus, designated SRR1 (Salix Rust Resistance 1), was detected in addition to several quantitative trait loci (QTL) of more modest effect. Inoculation test data also supported an important role for SRR1. Specific interactions between particular rust isolates and different QTL were detected, and QTL that only influenced resistance in field conditions were identified. The QTL reported here represent an important basis for the future development of markers for use in willow breeding programmes. As the linkage map for the K8 population is anchored to the Populus trichocarpa genome sequence, a more efficient marker development for future fine-scale mapping and candidate gene identification is possible.

Keywords

Salix Rust resistance Melampsora QTL SRR1 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Renewable Energy Programme, UK (Agreement No. B/W6/00599/00/00), and later as part of the BEGIN (Biomass for Energy Genetic Improvement Network) project (UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)—project no. NF0424). We also acknowledge additional funding support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council of the United Kingdom’s Institute Strategic Programme Grant for Rothamsted Research’s Centre for Bioenergy and Climate Change. Rothamsted Research is an institute of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council of the UK.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Steven J. Hanley
    • 1
  • Ming H. Pei
    • 1
  • Stephen J. Powers
    • 2
  • Carmen Ruiz
    • 1
  • Mark D. Mallott
    • 1
  • Jacqueline H. A. Barker
    • 3
  • Angela Karp
    • 1
  1. 1.Centre for Bioenergy and Climate ChangeRothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
  2. 2.Centre for Mathematical and Computational BiologyRothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
  3. 3.Centre for Crop Genetic ImprovementRothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK

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