Plant Gene and Traits 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 174-183 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 181 mapping study can facilitate the marker-assisted transfer of MlWE74 into elite cultivars, thereby accelerating the breeding process (Zhu et al., 2021). Collaborative efforts among international research institutions and breeding programs can help in the widespread adoption of MlWE74, ultimately contributing to global food security by enhancing wheat resistance to powdery mildew. 8 Concluding Remarks The powdery mildew resistance gene MlWE74, derived from wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides), has been successfully transferred to hexaploid wheat line WE74. Genetic analysis has shown that MlWE74 is a single dominant gene located on the terminal region of chromosome 2BS. Through bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and molecular mapping, MlWE74 was delimited to a 0.25 cM genetic interval, corresponding to a 799.9 kb genomic region in the Zavitan reference sequence. This region contains several candidate genes, including two phosphoglycerate mutase-like genes, an alpha/beta-hydrolases gene, and five NBS-LRR disease resistance genes, which are crucial for the map-based cloning of MlWE74. The identification of co-segregated markers, such as WGGBD425, facilitates the marker-assisted transfer of MlWE74 into elite wheat cultivars, enhancing their resistance to powdery mildew. This gene's geographical distribution, primarily in the Rosh Pinna and Amirim regions of northern Israel, underscores its adaptation to environments conducive to powdery mildew occurrence. The successful cloning and functional analysis of the MlWE74 gene represent a significant advancement in the fight against powdery mildew in wheat. The integration of MlWE74 into breeding programs through marker-assisted selection (MAS) can lead to the development of wheat varieties with enhanced resistance to powdery mildew, thereby reducing the reliance on chemical fungicides and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, the detailed molecular mapping and understanding of the MlWE74 gene’s structure and function provide a foundation for the isolation of additional resistance genes and the development of robust molecular markers. These markers are essential for pyramiding multiple resistance genes, which can offer durable and broad-spectrum resistance to powdery mildew and other diseases. In the long term, the application of MlWE74 in breeding programs has the potential to significantly boost global wheat production by mitigating yield losses caused by powdery mildew. This will not only enhance food security but also contribute to the economic stability of wheat-producing regions worldwide. The continued exploration and utilization of wild wheat genetic resources, such as those from wild emmer wheat, will be crucial in addressing the challenges posed by evolving pathogen populations and changing environmental conditions. Acknowledgments GenBreed Publisher extend the sincere thanks to two anonymous peer reviewers for their feedback on the manuscript of this study. Funding This study was funded by the Henan Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Special Project (HARS-22-1-Z7). Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Bapela T., Shimelis H., Terefe T., Bourras S., Sánchez-Martín J., Douchkov D., Desiderio F., and Tsilo T., 2023, Breeding wheat for powdery mildew resistance: genetic resources and methodologies-a review, Agronomy, 13(4): 1173. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13041173 Dong N., 2014, Molecular marker assisted pyramid breeding of powdery mildew resistance gene Pm21 and Pm13, Journal of Triticeae Crops, 34(12): 1639-1644.
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