The use of high-throughput DArTseq-based silicoDArT and SNP markers to identify yellow rust resistance genes in common wheat

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important species of crops. It is the most common cereal grown on all continents. Every year the yield of wheat on plantations all over the world is hugely reduced by yellow rust caused by the Puccinia striformis f. sp. tritici fungus. Apart from the yield potential and grain quality, resistance to diseases has become an important breeding goal. The identification and use of new sources of resistance is essential to improve the resistance of wheat plants to yellow rust. In this study, we performed a genome wide association study (GWAS) for the derived mapping population. The aim of this study was to find the silicoDArT and SNP markers coupled with the genes determining resistance to Puccinia striformis f. sp. tritici, which could be used to select yellow rust-resistant cultivars. Long-term observations resulted in the identification of a cultivar (Tobak) with very high resistance to infestation with yellow rust. This cultivar was crossed with a yellow rust-susceptible cultivar and a mapping population was derived and subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS). As a result of the DArTseq analysis, 10,586 silicoDArT markers and 8,423 SNP markers were obtained. The obtained genotyping data was used for association mapping, which was performed using the GWAS method. The largest number of sequences similar to the sequences of the silicoDArT and SNP markers determined in the GWAS analysis were located on chromosome 2B. Further analyses resulted in the identification of region 36838943-536815801 on chromosome 2B, which contained three sequences related with resistance to diseases. Disease resistance genes involved in the plant defense system, such as the disease resistance proteins RAG1, RAG2 and RPP8, have been identified.