PAG-II Plant Genome II Conference

Town & Country Conference Center, San Diego, CA, January, 1994.


PG-II: Genetic Dissection of Fusiform Rust Resistance in Loblolly Pine

Genetic Dissection of Fusiform Rust Resistance in Loblolly Pine

H.V. Amerson 1, P.L. Wilcox 1,3, E.G. Kuhlman 2, D. O'Malley 1, and R.R. Sederoff 1. Department of Forestry 1, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, U.S.D.A. Forest Service Laboratories 2, Athens GA, New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd. 3, New Zealand.


We are completing the first phase of experiments to examine the genetic basis for resistance to the causal agent of fusiform rust, Cronartium quercuum f.sp. fusiforme (Cqf, in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and in longer term to tag resistance genes with molecular markers. To examine our hypothesis that resistance to Cqf is under oligogenic control, a combinatorial experimental design is being used. A putative heterozygous (Rr) mother tree (10-5) along with four open pollinated daughters (B,C,D,E) were all crossed to a highly susceptible pollen parent (rr). Progeny from the resulting full-sib families were challenged with inoculum from known single aeciospore lines and scored for several greenhouse resistance symptom types. Since we chose a susceptible pollen parent, we are initially examining only the maternal contribution to the progeny genotype by constructing RAPD maps using megagametophyte tissue. We have genotyped two families to date: the mother tree, 10-5, and one daughter, B. Forty-eight progeny have been genotyped for each and maps using 418 markers in 10-5 and 350 markers in B have been prepared. Additional progeny in the two families are being screened using framework RAPD markers. Putative associations between markers and resistance (a >= 0.01) have been found in both families 10-5 and B. These associations are being further investigated by bulking on markers of interest. Examination of other inoculum treatments in these two families and the possible association of these markers with resistance in the remaining families is still to be tested.


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