Éberson Sanches Calvo

Molecular mapping of soybean rust ( Phakopsora pachyrhizi ) resistance genes: discovery of a novel locus and alleles

Soybean production in South and North America has recently been threatened by the widespread dissemination of soybean rust (SBR) caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Currently, chemical spray containing fungicides is the only effective method to control the disease. This strategy increases production costs and exposes the environment to higher levels of fungicides. As a first step towards the development of SBR resistant cultivars, we studied the genetic basis of SBR resistance in five F2 populations derived from crossing the Brazilian-adapted susceptible cultivar CD 208 to each of five different plant introductions (PI 200487, PI 200526, PI 230970, PI 459025, PI 471904) carrying SBR-resistant genes (Rpp). Molecular mapping of SBR-resistance genes was performed in three of these PIs (PI 459025, PI 200526, PI 471904), and also in two other PIs (PI 200456 and 224270). The strategy mapped two genes present in PI 230970 and PI 459025, the original sources of Rpp2 and Rpp4, to linkage groups (LG) J and G, respectively. A new SBR resistance locus, rpp5 was mapped in the LG-N. Together, the genetic and molecular analysis suggested multiple alleles or closely linked genes that govern SBR resistance in soybean.

Análise multivariada dos componentes da resistência à ferrugem-asiática em genótipos de soja

The objective of this study was to detail the infection cycles of Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & P. Syd. in soybean genotypes, in order to establish a group of the most promising genotypes for use as sources of resistance to Asian soybean rust. The infection cycle components were quantifi ed in 48 genotypes. The assessments consisted of: type of lesion, intensity of sporulation, severity, number of lesions and uredinias, and productivity of urediniospores. The cluster analysis formed four groups: A - developed the highest amount of disease; B - developed the lowest amount of disease; C - low initial resistance; and D - high initial resistance. All the genotypes of groups B, C and D had RB (redish-brown) lesions and varied for initial resistance, delayed resistance, intensity of sporulation, stability of the qualitative response, productivity of urediniospores, and number of days to reach 50% of the maximum severity. Qualitative responses and disease severity evaluations refl ect the combined effects of resistance on all the infection components and show practical importance in genotypes differentiation, regarding disease resistance. The genotypes of groups B, C and D presented qualitative and quantitative resistance, in different degrees, and they are promising genotypes as sources of resistance to Asian soybean rust.

Marcadores RAPD para detecção de resistência à ferrugem-asiática-da-soja

The objectives of this work were to confirm the PI 459025 inheritance of resistance (Rpp4) to Asian soybean rust pathogen and to detect RAPD markers linked to this resistance gene in soybean populations. Through the cross of the distint parental lines PI 459025 x Coodetec 208, a population was obtained, whose F2 and F2:3 generations had their populations artificially infected and evaluated for the reaction to Phakopsora pachyrhizi, by lesion type classification (RB - resistant and TAN - susceptible). Using the phenotypic results, the bulked segregant analysis was performed and two DNA bulks were obtained from homozygous resistant and homozygous susceptible plants, respectively. Out of the 600 random RAPD primers analyzed, three were identified as polymorphic fragments related to resistance, between contrasting bulks and parents. Through chi-square test, confirmations were obtained for the monogenic inheritance, with complete dominance segregation for resistance to the pathogen, and the 3:1 segregation of band presence for the markers. The three markers are linked to the resistance locus, in repulsion phase, at 5.1, 6.3 and 14.7 cM from it, in the linkage group G, which was confirmed by using the microsatellite marker Satt288. These makers are promising in assisted selection for Asian soybean rust resistance.

Chemical control and responses of susceptible and resistant soybean cultivars to the progress of soybean rust

This work compared development of soybean rust (SR) on the susceptible cultivar BRS 133 and on the resistant line CB06-953/963 (Rpp4 gene) following different fungicide treatments applied in different developmental stages. The assessed variables were percent plant defoliation, coefficient of damage (CD) and economic threshold level (ETL), the latter two calculated from disease severity ratings and yield. Experiments were conducted in the field during the 2006-2007 growing season with one sowing date (Experiment I) and in 2007-2008 with two sowing dates (Experiments II and III). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with ten treatments and four replications. Overall, the Rpp4 gene in the resistant line was effective in reducing development of SR in all three experiments. The values of CD and ETL were higher for the resistant line than for the susceptible cultivar. The resistant line needed 13.3 days longer than the susceptible cultivar to reach the ETL in Experiment II. Fungicide applications were more effective in protecting yield and minimizing defoliation in the susceptible cultivar than in the resistant line. Under high inoculum pressure (Experiment III), three and four fungicide sprays applied during the season resulted in significantly higher yields (P<0.05) in both soybean genotypes compared with the untreated controls. Late season fungicide applications reduced rust severity and increased the yield of the resistant cultivar.

Managing soybean rust with fungicides and varieties of the early/semi-early and intermediate maturity groups

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of soybean cultivar of two maturity groups, early/semi-early (E) or intermediate (I), on the management of Asian soybean rust (ASR) with fungicides and yield. Field trials were conducted during the 2006/07 and 2007/08 growing seasons. Seven cultivars of the two groups were tested in the first season and eight in the second season. All cultivars had plots that were treated (T) or non-treated (NT) with a commercial mixture of pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole. ASR severity (%) was visually assessed several times during the crop cycle and yield (kg ha-1) was determined at harvest. Values of the standardized area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) calculated from the severity assessments was higher in 2007/08 than in 2006/07, but no differences were found between cultivars of the E and I maturity groups. Differences in yield between between T and NT plots were lower in cultivars of the E group than those of the I group in both the 2006/07 (37.6% and 52.8% respectively) and the 2007/08 season (56.9% and 85.0%, respectively). A higher stability in yield was found for cultivars of the E maturity group compared to those of the I group.