Genetic characterization and molecular mapping of a Hessian fly-resistance gene transferred from T. turgidum ssp. dicoccum to common wheat

A gene (temporarily designated Hdic) conferring resistance to the Hessian fly (Hf) [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] was previously identified from an accession of German cultivated emmer wheat [Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccum (Schrank ex Schübler) Thell] PI 94641, and was transferred to the Hf-resistant wheat germplasm KS99WGRC42. The inheritance of Hdic resistance exhibited incomplete penetrance because phenotypes of some heterozygous progenies are fully resistant and the others are fully susceptible. Five simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (Xgwm136,Xcfa2153, Xpsp2999,Xgwm33, and Xbarc263) were linked to the Hdic gene on the short arm of wheat chromosome 1A in the same region as the H9, H10, and H11 loci. Flanking markers Xgwm33 and Xcfa2153 were mapped at distances 0.6 cM proximal and 1.4 cM distal, respectively. Marker analysis revealed that a very small intercalary chromosomal segment containing Hdic was transferred from emmer wheat to KS99WGRC42. This is the first emmer-derived Hf-resistance gene that has been mapped and characterized. The Hdic gene confers a high level of antibiosis to biotypes GP and L, as well as to strains vH9 and vH13 of the Hf, which is different from the biotype reaction patterns of the known Hf-resistance genes on chromosome 1A (H5 and H11 susceptible to biotype L, H9 and H10 susceptible to strain vH9). These results suggested that Hdic is either a new gene or a novel allele of a known H gene on chromosome 1A. The broad spectrum of resistance conferred by the Hdic gene makes it valuable for developing Hf resistant wheat cultivars.