Genome‐wide association analysis of resistance to scald in an adapted multiparent winter malting barley population

Abstract

ABSTRACT Scald, caused by the fungus Rhynchosporium graminicola Heinsen 1897, is a major foliar disease in winter malting barley ( Hordeum vulgare L). Resistance to scald in winter malting barley is controlled by major and minor resistance genes. We used a population of 377 lines derived from biparental crosses among five winter malting barley parents to analyze resistance to scald and associated agronomic traits. Increased winter survival and later heading dates were negatively correlated with increased resistance, whereas increased height was positively correlated with resistance. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) for resistance to scald was analyzed with multiple models, using 14,789 SNP and 374 lines. The similarities and differences between the models were identified in SNP trait associations and phenotypic effect sizes. SNP associations identified a large region on chromosome 3H across models. FarmCPU identified additional associations on chromosomes 2H, 3H, 4H and 7H. Linkage disequilibrium on chromosome 3H and GWAS for resistance to scald using the Rrs1 -linked marker, HVS3, as a covariate confirmed Rrs1 was segregating in this population. GWAS for winter survival, heading date and plant height identified associations across the genome, with chromosome 2H showing SNP-trait colocalizations between resistance to scald, winter survival, heading date and plant height. Breeding for durable resistance to scald in winter malting barley can include pyramiding major resistance loci, such as Rrs1 , as well as QTL for disease resistance and agronomic traits. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Genetic architecture of resistance to scald in winter malting barley Scald is an important foliar pathogen in winter malting barley, affecting both grain yield and quality. While resistance to scald is controlled by major and minor resistance genes, agronomic traits are also known to limit the spread of scald in barley. We determined the genetic architecture using a large multiparent population of winter malting barley. The FarmCPU genome-wide association model proved optimal for defining the resistance genes, with the major resistance gene, Rrs1 , conferring 29% of the variation in this population. Fewer days to heading and taller plants contributed to plant avoidance of scald. Reduced canopy coverage in plants with low winter survival led to less scald severity. A region of the genome contributing a minor resistance effect was co-localized with a region for plant height, heading date and winter survival. Core Ideas Resistance to scald in a large multiparent population was derived from a major resistance gene ( Rrs1 ) and several smaller effect QTLs Rrs1 resistance was derived from ‘Lightning’ and is located within a large linkage block on Chromosome 3H Fewer days to heading and taller plants were correlated with less disease in the multiparent winter malting barley population in NY state A QTL for resistance to scald co-localized on chromosome 2H with winter survival, heading date, and plant height FarmCPU was an optimal model for association analysis for resistance to scald in the multiparent unbalanced diallel population.