Molecular characterization of a wheat-Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng 2Ns disomic addition line with resistance to stripe rust

We characterized a wheat-Psathyrostachys huashanica derived line 3-6-4-1 based on genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), molecular marker analysis, and agronomic trait evaluations. The GISH investigations showed that the 3-6-4-1 contained 42 wheat chromosomes and a pair of P. huashanica chromosomes. The homoeologous relationships of the introduced P. huashanica chromosomes were determined using EST-STS multiple loci markers from seven wheat homoeologous groups in the parents and the addition line. Twelve EST-STS markers located on the homoeologous group 2 chromosomes of wheat amplified polymorphic bands in 3-6-4-1, which were unique to P. huashanica. An introduced Ns chromosome pair that belonged to homoeologous group 2 was identified using chromosome-specific markers. Inoculation with isolates of the stripe rust pathotypes, CYR31, CYR32, and SY11-14, and mixed races (CYR31, CYR32, and SY11-14) in the seeding and adult stage, respectively, showed that 3-6-4-1 was generally resistant to stripe rust, which was probably attributable to its P. huashanica parent. We also compared a complete set of wheat-P. huashanica disomic addition lines (1Ns-7Ns, 2n = 44 = 22II) to assess their agronomic traits and morphological characteristics, which showed that 3-6-4-1 had improved spike traits compared with its parents. The P. huashanica 2Ns chromosome-specific molecular markers in 3-6-4-1 could be useful for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs to combat stripe rust. This line can be used as a donor source to introduce novel excellent genes from P. huashanica into wheat to widen its genetic diversity, thereby providing new germplasms for wheat breeding.