FHBMarkerDb: unifying genomic markers and functional annotations for durable FHB resistance in major cereals

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), caused by multiple Fusarium species, is a major disease of cereal crops worldwide, resulting in significant yield losses and grain contamination with mycotoxins. Although many genetic and genomic studies have identified markers, quantitative trait loci (QTL), and candidate genes for FHB resistance, this information remains dispersed across multiple sources, limiting its use in breeding and research. To overcome this, we developed the Fusarium Head Blight Marker Database (FHBMarkerDb), a centralized, curated database that compiles comprehensive genomic resources on FHB resistance available in the public domain. FHBMarkerDb integrates publicly available marker trait associations (MTAs), candidate genes, and functional annotations for four major cereal crops- wheat, barley, maize, and oats within a single platform, enabling cross-species comparison and comparative genomics analyses. The database covers key FHB-related traits, including disease incidence, disease severity, disease spread, and mycotoxin accumulation, providing a holistic view of resistance mechanisms. Further, the user-friendly interface provides flexibility of efficient searching, browsing, and retrieval of markers, chromosomes, traits, genes and their functions. We believe the developed resource will empower researchers, breeders, and students to identify promising resistance loci and further accelerate genomics-assisted breeding. The database is freely accessible at https://nbpgr.org.in/FHBDb/index.php.