Identification of BYDV resistance in wheat

Spread by several aphid vector species, Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is responsible for significant yield losses in important cultivated cereal crops worldwide, including UK wheat. Reduced options for effective BYDV disease management exist. Consequently, a focus on the identification, characterisation and future exploitation of genetic sources of BYDV resistance and/or tolerance has arisen.

Using a diverse range of commercial wheat, core Watkins collection and synthetic hexaploid wheat germplasm, this work conducted a strategic screening for potentially novel genetic sources of BYDV resistance/tolerance. Of the 53 wheat genotypes screened, 20 have been preliminarily identified as potentially exhibiting some level of BYDV resistance, using a recently developed BYDV qRT-PCR diagnostic assay.

Validation of these observations will now be pursued, potentially resulting in the identification of genotypes that could be valuable for the future development of new elite wheat cultivars with enhanced levels of resistance/tolerance to BYDV through conventional breeding.