Molecular mapping of the Russian wheat aphid resistance gene Dn2414 in wheat

Russian wheat aphid (RWA) [Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov)] is an important pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in several production areas of the world. The most effective and economical approach for controlling RWA is to use resistant cultivars. A wheat line, ST-ARS 02RWA2414-11 (2414-11), showed a high level of resistance to RWA biotype 2. Our objectives were to map the resistance gene and develop polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS). A mapping population of 212 F-2 individuals was developed from a cross of 2414-11 and the susceptible cultivar Yuma. The F-2 individuals and F-2:3 families were infested using biotype 2 RWA. The RWA resistance of 2414-11 is controlled by a single major gene, provisionally designated as Dn2414. Using standard PCR, 30 marker loci were found to be linked to Dn2414 with recombination frequencies (theta) of 0.00 to 0.27 and logarithm of the odds to the base 10 (LOD) scores of 7.6 to 66.1. Of the 30 markers, 26 were tightly linked to Dn2414 with theta <= 0.05. A genetic map was constructed consisting of 31 loci spanning a region of 34.7 cM. The close linkage of Dn2414 with several rye chromosome 1R short arm (1RS)-specific simple sequence repeat markers and low theta values around the Dn2414 gene indicate that Dn2414 is located on chromosome 1RS.1BL (translocation chromosome with IRS and wheat chromosome 113 long arm), Phenotypic and marker profiles of 2414-11 and its relatives are the same as other lines known to carry Dn7. The Dn2414 gene is thus located on 1RS arm, and the large number of PCR markers will be valuable for MAS of this gene.