Improved quantification of Fusarium pseudograminearum (Fusarium crown rot) using qPCR measurement of infection in multi-species winter cereal experiments

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1225283
• Publication Date: 2023-08-02T10:18:41Z
• Authors: Andrew Milgate; Brad Baxter; Steven Simpfendorfer; Herdina; Daniele Giblot-Du...; Nannan Yang; Beverly Orchard; Ben Ovenden
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; qPCR; 0303 health sciences; tolerance; wheat; barley; Plant culture; Fusarium crown rot (FCR); partial resistance; Plant Science; SB1-1110

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) causes significant grain yield loss in winter cereals around the world. Breeding for resistance and/or tolerance to FCR has been slow with relatively limited success. In this study, multi-species experiments were used demonstrate an improved method quantify infection levels at plant maturity using quantitative PCR (qPCR), as well genotype retention residual regression deviation. Using qPCR measure allowed a higher degree of resolution between genotypes than traditional visual stem basal browning assessments. The results consistent across three environments different disease expression. along allows partitioning both and partial resistance. Together these methods offer new insights into its relative importance bread wheat barley. This approach offers more robust, unbiased way select traits within breeding programs. Key message: Genetic gain against impeded by laborious variable measures severity. paper presents that are strongly correlated reveal previously unrecognised barley varieties.