Developing virus and vector tolerance in wheat by characterizing virus and vector interactions in WGRC germplasm
Project Summary:
The wheat streak mosaic disease (WSMD) complex is one of the most damaging disease systems affecting wheat production across the US Great Plains and beyond. WSMD is caused by wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) and High Plains wheat mosaic virus (HPWMoV), all of them are transmitted by the wheat curl mite (WCM, Aceria tosichella). WSMV and TriMV is often found as coinfection and can lead to total economic loss in severely affected fields, posing a significant threat to producer profitability and regional food security.
Current genetic solutions to WSMV and TriMV are limited. Existing resistance genes are less effective under high temperatures, reduce yield due to linkage drag or have some risk of being overcome by evolving virus strains. As a result, wheat breeders lack durable, high-performing tools to manage these diseases. New approaches are urgently needed to ensure long-term resilience in wheat production systems. This project addresses that need by leveraging underutilized genetic resources from the Wheat Genetics Resource Center (WGRC). The research will evaluate diverse wheat and wheat-related germplasm to identify novel resistance or tolerance to WSMV, TriMV and their vector, WCM. Resistance prevents or overcomes infestation or infection, tolerance allows plants to maintain yield despite infection. This approach may provide more durable protection by reducing selection pressure on both viruses and vectors.
The project integrates field-based screening in Nebraska and Kansas with targeted greenhouse studies to evaluate plant responses to WSMV, TriMV, and WCM. In addition to screening WGRC introgression germplasm, we propose an additional objective evaluating rye-derived germplasm to understand the tolerance to WSMV, TriMV, and WCM that is present in rye. By uncovering the genetic basis of this tolerance and identifying germplasm that can be used as resistant/tolerant parents, the project will expand the toolkit available to wheat breeders.
