Quantitative trait loci for resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) to Ustilago tritici

AbstractLoose smut [Ustilago tritici (Pers) Rostr.] of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) causes losses in grain yield roughly proportional to the incidence of the disease. Efforts to control this disease utilizing genetic resistance are being made in breeding programmes around the world. DNA markers for genetic resistance would greatly enhance breeding efforts by reducing the substantial time and labour resources necessary to screen for resistant lines using traditional inoculation methods. The objective of this study was to identify DNA markers associated with resistance. Doubled haploid progeny from the four crosses ‘Glenlea’/‘AC Taber’, ‘SC8021V2’/‘AC Karma’, ‘Diamant’/TD12A, and 9340-CP*/‘AC Vista’ were evaluated with individual races of U. tritici and simple sequence repeat markers. Simple interval mapping was performed using MQTL software and single point analysis. ‘Glenlea’, which has complete and broad resistance to all known races of U. tritici in Canada, contributed a QTL for resistance to races T2, T...