Objective:
Map novel Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance QTL of major effect located on the long arm of chromosome 7el(2) and identify DNA markers closely linked to resistance gene(s). Develop FHB resistant and low-FHB incidence wheat cultivars that are adapted in Indiana. Develop screening methods to identify Type I resistance (reduced initial infection). Determine whether pyramiding resistance QTL Qfhs.ndsu-3BS with other reported FHB resistance QTLs results in more effective resistance. Develop two wheat lines, one that has Afhs.ndsu-3BS in coupling with jsr2 and one that has Stb2 in coupling with QSng.sfr-3BS.

Approach:
From an F(2) population cross between line K2620 (FHB resistant) in which chromosome 7e(2) replaced 7D of wheat cv. Thatcher, and line K11463 (FHB susceptible) in which 7el(1) replaced 7Dof Thatcher, phenotype single F(2) plants for highly effective resistance from 7el(2). Identify AFLP markers that are polymorphic between 7el(1) and 7el(2) to locate FHB resistance of 7el(2). Test lines and populations in multiple locations in Indiana and in cooperative regional nurseries and in controlled conditions in the greenhouse. More efficiently identify resistant plants and genotyping parental lines for FHB resistance QTLs using DNA markers already identified as being associated with specific resistance QTLs. FY06 Projects: 1. Introgression of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance of Thinopyrum into Wheat 2. Improvement of Soft Winter Wheat for Fusarium Head Blight Resistance