A Novel QTL for Resistance to Phytophthora Crown Rot in Squash

<i>Phytophthora capsici</i> Leonian causes significant yield losses in commercial squash (<i>Cucurbita pepo</i>) production worldwide. The deployment of resistant cultivars can complement integrated management practices for <i>P. capsici</i>, but resistant cultiva...

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Main Authors: Vincent Njung’e Michael, Yuqing Fu, Swati Shrestha, Geoffrey Meru
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Plants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/10/2115
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author Vincent Njung’e Michael
Yuqing Fu
Swati Shrestha
Geoffrey Meru
author_facet Vincent Njung’e Michael
Yuqing Fu
Swati Shrestha
Geoffrey Meru
author_sort Vincent Njung’e Michael
collection DOAJ
description <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> Leonian causes significant yield losses in commercial squash (<i>Cucurbita pepo</i>) production worldwide. The deployment of resistant cultivars can complement integrated management practices for <i>P. capsici</i>, but resistant cultivars are currently unavailable for growers. Moderate resistance to Phytophthora crown rot in a selection of accession PI 181761 (<i>C. pepo</i>) (designated line #181761-36P) is controlled by three dominant genes (R4, R5 and R6). Introgression of these loci into elite germplasm through marker-assisted selection (MAS) can accelerate the release of new <i>C. pepo</i> cultivars resistant to crown rot, but these tools are currently unavailable. Here we describe the identification of a quantitative trait locus (QTL), molecular markers and candidate genes associated with crown rot resistance in #181761-36P. Five hundred and twenty-three SNP markers were genotyped in an F<sub>2</sub> (<i>n</i> = 83) population derived from a cross between #181761-36P (R) and Table Queen (S) using targeted genotyping by sequencing. A linkage map (2068.96 cM) consisting of twenty-one linkage groups and an average density of 8.1 markers/cM was developed for the F<sub>2</sub> population. The F<sub>2</sub>:<sub>3</sub> families were phenotyped in the greenhouse with a virulent strain of <i>P. capsica</i>, using the spore-spray method. A single QTL (<i>QtlPC-C13</i>) was consistently detected on LG 13 (chromosome 13) across three experiments and explained 17.92–21.47% of phenotypic variation observed in the population. Nine candidate disease resistance gene homologs were found within the confidence interval of <i>QtlPC-C13</i>. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers within these genes were converted into Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) assays and tested for association with resistance in the F<sub>2</sub> population. One SNP marker (C002686) was significantly associated with resistance to crown rot in the F<sub>2</sub> population (<i>p</i> < 0.05). This marker is a potential target for MAS for crown rot resistance in <i>C. pepo</i>.
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spelling doaj.art-6503eb8c72514c3ea574bb5dff4c5f592023-11-22T19:44:01ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472021-10-011010211510.3390/plants10102115A Novel QTL for Resistance to Phytophthora Crown Rot in SquashVincent Njung’e Michael0Yuqing Fu1Swati Shrestha2Geoffrey Meru3The Tropical Research and Education Center, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, 18905 SW 280 ST Homestead, Gainesville, FL 33031, USAThe Tropical Research and Education Center, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, 18905 SW 280 ST Homestead, Gainesville, FL 33031, USAThe Tropical Research and Education Center, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, 18905 SW 280 ST Homestead, Gainesville, FL 33031, USAThe Tropical Research and Education Center, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, 18905 SW 280 ST Homestead, Gainesville, FL 33031, USA<i>Phytophthora capsici</i> Leonian causes significant yield losses in commercial squash (<i>Cucurbita pepo</i>) production worldwide. The deployment of resistant cultivars can complement integrated management practices for <i>P. capsici</i>, but resistant cultivars are currently unavailable for growers. Moderate resistance to Phytophthora crown rot in a selection of accession PI 181761 (<i>C. pepo</i>) (designated line #181761-36P) is controlled by three dominant genes (R4, R5 and R6). Introgression of these loci into elite germplasm through marker-assisted selection (MAS) can accelerate the release of new <i>C. pepo</i> cultivars resistant to crown rot, but these tools are currently unavailable. Here we describe the identification of a quantitative trait locus (QTL), molecular markers and candidate genes associated with crown rot resistance in #181761-36P. Five hundred and twenty-three SNP markers were genotyped in an F<sub>2</sub> (<i>n</i> = 83) population derived from a cross between #181761-36P (R) and Table Queen (S) using targeted genotyping by sequencing. A linkage map (2068.96 cM) consisting of twenty-one linkage groups and an average density of 8.1 markers/cM was developed for the F<sub>2</sub> population. The F<sub>2</sub>:<sub>3</sub> families were phenotyped in the greenhouse with a virulent strain of <i>P. capsica</i>, using the spore-spray method. A single QTL (<i>QtlPC-C13</i>) was consistently detected on LG 13 (chromosome 13) across three experiments and explained 17.92–21.47% of phenotypic variation observed in the population. Nine candidate disease resistance gene homologs were found within the confidence interval of <i>QtlPC-C13</i>. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers within these genes were converted into Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) assays and tested for association with resistance in the F<sub>2</sub> population. One SNP marker (C002686) was significantly associated with resistance to crown rot in the F<sub>2</sub> population (<i>p</i> < 0.05). This marker is a potential target for MAS for crown rot resistance in <i>C. pepo</i>.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/10/2115QTL mapping<i>Cucurbita pepo</i>breedingdisease resistance<i>Phytophthora capsici</i>marker-assisted selection
spellingShingle Vincent Njung’e Michael
Yuqing Fu
Swati Shrestha
Geoffrey Meru
A Novel QTL for Resistance to Phytophthora Crown Rot in Squash
Plants
QTL mapping
<i>Cucurbita pepo</i>
breeding
disease resistance
<i>Phytophthora capsici</i>
marker-assisted selection
title A Novel QTL for Resistance to Phytophthora Crown Rot in Squash
title_full A Novel QTL for Resistance to Phytophthora Crown Rot in Squash
title_fullStr A Novel QTL for Resistance to Phytophthora Crown Rot in Squash
title_full_unstemmed A Novel QTL for Resistance to Phytophthora Crown Rot in Squash
title_short A Novel QTL for Resistance to Phytophthora Crown Rot in Squash
title_sort novel qtl for resistance to phytophthora crown rot in squash
topic QTL mapping
<i>Cucurbita pepo</i>
breeding
disease resistance
<i>Phytophthora capsici</i>
marker-assisted selection
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/10/2115
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