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Tracking the deployment of functional disease resistance genes in cultivars to inform breeding
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Abstract
Methods to track and verify the integrity of multiple disease resistance genes that are effective against
late blight, PCN and viruses are needed for potato crop improvements. Diagnostic resistance gene
enrichment sequencing (dRenSeq) enables the high-confidence identification and complete sequence
validation of known functional resistance genes in crops. As demonstrated for tetraploid potatoes, the
methodology is more robust and cost-effective in monitoring resistances than whole-genome
sequencing and can be used to appraise gene integrity efficiently.
Evaluation of the historic patterns of resistance gene deployment in over 300 established potato
varieties grown since the time of the Potato Famine, including currently cultivated major varieties in
Great Britain, Europe, the US and China, reveals a very limited base of utilised resistances. Further,
current breeding programs for disease resistance have thus far only mobilised a limited number of new
and effective genes. Combined with molecular pathogen studies, we have revealed the impact of
resistance gene deployment on pathogen avirulence gene diversity and population structure.
Using existing RenSeq data, we have developed and deployed highly informative molecular markers for
breeding. Further, the data enable powerful association studies (AgRenSeq) to characterise resistances
effective against Globodera rostochiensis (H1) and Globodera pallida (Gpa5) amongst other pathogens.