Cloning a DNA marker associated to wheat scab resistance

Wheat head blight caused mainly by Fusarium graminearum, is an important wheat disease, causing yield and quality losses. The breeding of resistant varieties is the key measure to control this disease, but the conventional breeding method is of low efficiency. The marker-assisted selection (MAS) can significantly improve the breeding efficiency. In this study, four RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) markers linked to FHB resistance were obtained and one was cloned and sequenced. F7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were derived from the F1 of the cross Ning894037 (resistant)/Alondra (susceptible) by the single-seed descent method. Scab resistance of F7 RILs was evaluated in the greenhouse by injecting conidiospores into a central floret. Scab symptoms were evaluated on the 21st day after inoculation. Disease severity was assessed as the percentage of infected spikelets/spike. The F7 RIL population displayed a normal distribution, transgressive segregation and significant variation for FHB severity. DNA from resistant and susceptible parents was analyzed with 520 RAPD primers. Four markers (S1384-640,S1360-600, S1319-350,S1319-820) linked to FHB resistance were obtained. DNA of S1384-640 was recovered, subjected to re-amplification by using S1384 primer and the same protocol as for RAPD analysis and identified the rightness. The PCR product of S1384-640 was ligated into the pUCm-T vector, and cloned into fresh competent cells of Escherichia coli strain DH5alpha RAPD analysis showed that the inserts of the recombinant plasmids were DNA of S1384-640. The sequencing result showed that the cloned fragment was 648 bp.