Identification of Leaf Stripe Resistance Genes in Hulless Barley Landrace Teliteqingke from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

TL;DR

Scientists identified two genes in a barley variety that help resist leaf stripe disease, a problem for barley crops on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Contribution

The study identifies two dominant resistance genes and two candidate regions in hulless barley using genetic and transcriptomic analyses.

Findings

Resistance in Teliteqingke is governed by two dominant genes.

Two candidate regions on chromosomes 3H and 7H were identified using BSA-SNP and RNA-seq.

Two genes on chromosome 3H showed significant expression after fungal infection.

Abstract

Leaf stripe disease, caused by Pyrenophora graminea, is a seed-borne fungal disease that significantly impacts hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare var. nudum) production on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This study aimed to identify genetic factors conferring resistance to the leaf stripe by analyzing an F3 population derived from a cross between the resistant landrace Teliteqingke and the susceptible landrace Dulihuang. Genetic analysis revealed that resistance in Teliteqingke was governed by two dominant genes. Using bulked segregant analysis combined with an SNP array (BSA-SNP) and RNA-seq, we identified two candidate regions on chromosomes 3H and 7H. Further analysis focused on chromosome 3H, which revealed a candidate genomic region containing seven potential disease-resistance genes. Among these, RT-qPCR experiments demonstrated significant expression induction of HORVU.MOREX.r3.3HG0232110.1 (encoding a RING/U-box superfamily protein) and HORVU.MOREX.r3.3HG0232410.1 (encoding a bZIP transcription factor) showed significant expression induction following inoculation with P. graminea. These genes are strong candidates for the resistance mechanism against leaf stripes in Teliteqingke. These results provide a foundation for functional validation of these genes and offer valuable insights for breeding disease-resistant hulless barley.

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