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Published on: March 10, 2020
Three QTLs for Botrytis cinerea resistance in tomato
Richard Finkers1, Petra van den Berg, Ralph van Berloo
1Graduate school Experimental Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Plant Breeding, Wageningen University, PO box 386, 6700 AJ, Wageningen, The Netherlands. Richard.Finkers@wur.nl
Summary
Wild tomato relatives provide resistance genes for grey mold (Botrytis cinerea). Researchers identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in tomato, Rbcq1 and Rbcq2, significantly reducing disease development and offering breeding potential.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Genetics
- Horticultural Science
Background:
- Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is highly vulnerable to grey mold, a disease caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea.
- Partial resistance has been observed in wild tomato relatives, specifically Solanum habrochaites LYC4.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring resistance to Botrytis cinerea in tomato.
- To understand the genetic basis of quantitative resistance to grey mold in tomato.
Main Methods:
- A population of 174 F(2) plants was created from a cross between S. lycopersicum and S. habrochaites LYC4.
- Plants were genotyped and phenotyped for grey mold susceptibility using a stem bioassay.
- Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified and their effects confirmed in BC(2)S(1) progenies.
Main Results:
- Two QTLs, Rbcq1 (Chromosome 1) and Rbcq2 (Chromosome 2), were identified, reducing lesion growth and disease incidence, respectively.
- Rbcq1 explained 12% and Rbcq2 explained 15% of the phenotypic variation for resistance.
- An additional QTL, Rbcq4 (Chromosome 4), was found to reduce disease incidence. Homozygosity for Rbcq2 and Rbcq4 alleles from S. habrochaites reduced disease incidence by 48%.
Conclusions:
- QTLs from S. habrochaites LYC4 are effective in reducing grey mold development in tomato.
- These identified QTLs offer significant potential for breeding Botrytis cinerea-resistant tomato cultivars.
