Identification of Molecular Markers Linked to a Pyrenophora teres Avirulence Gene

ABSTRACT Genetic control of avirulence in the net blotch pathogen, Pyrenophora teres, was investigated. To establish an appropriate study system, a collection of 10 net form (P. teres f. teres) and spot form (P. teres f. maculata) isolates were evaluated on a set of eight barley lines to identify two isolates with differential virulence on an individual host line. Two net form isolates, WRS 1906, exhibiting avirulence on the cv. Heartland, and WRS 1607, exhibiting high virulence, were mated and 67 progeny were isolated and phenotyped for reaction on Heartland. The population segregated in a 1:1 ratio, 34 avirulent to 33 virulent (chi(2) = 0.0, P = 1.0), indicating single gene control of WRS 1906 avirulence on Heartland. Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify six amplified fragment length polymorphism markers closely linked to the avirulence gene (Avr(Heartland)). This work provides evidence that the P. teres-barley pathosystem conforms to the gene-for-gene model and represents an initial step toward map-based cloning of this gene.