Identification and genetic mapping of pm42, a new recessive wheat powdery mildew resistance gene derived from wild emmer (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides)

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most important wheat diseases worldwide in areas with cool or maritime climates. Wild emmer (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) is an important potential donor of disease resistances and other traits for common wheat improvement. A powdery mildew resistance gene was transferred from wild emmer accession G-303-1M to susceptible common wheat by crossing and backcrossing, resulting in inbred line P63 (Yanda1817/G-303-1 M//3*Jing411, BC₂F₆). Genetic analysis of an F₂ population and the F₂:₃ families developed from a cross of P63 and a susceptible common wheat line Xuezao showed that the powdery mildew resistance in P63 was controlled by a single recessive gene. Molecular markers and bulked segregant analysis were used to characterize and map the powdery mildew resistance gene. Nine genomic SSR markers (Xbarc7, Xbarc55, Xgwm148, Xgwm257, Xwmc35, Xwmc154, Xwmc257, Xwmc382, Xwmc477), five AFLP-derived SCAR markers (XcauG3, XcauG6, XcauG10, XcauG20, XcauG22), three EST-STS markers (BQ160080, BQ160588, BF146221) and one RFLP-derived STS marker (Xcau516) were linked to the resistance gene, designated pm42, in P63. pm42 was physically mapped on chromosome 2BS bin 0.75-0.84 using Chinese Spring nullisomic-tetrasomic, ditelosomic and deletion lines, and was estimated to be more than 30 cM proximal to Xcau516, a RFLP-derived STS marker that co-segregated with the wild emmer-derived Pm26 which should be physically located in 2BS distal bin 0.84-1.00. pm42 was highly effective against 18 of 21 differential Chinese isolates of B. graminis f. sp. tritici. The closely linked molecular markers will enable the rapid transfer of pm42 to wheat breeding populations thus adding to their genetic diversity.