Key message A data mining strategy capitalizing on high-resolution SNP information, sequence variant annotation and QTL information from three populations facilitated an efficient nomination of candidate genes for YR resistance, supported by Yr27 and functional annotations. Abstract Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have become routine in many crops, but the prioritization of candidate genes remains challenging. Here, we developed a new approach to identify environment-specific quantitative trait loci (QTL) using GWAS and analyzed 5,840 wheat genotypes distributed over three experimental populations, including 5,243 single-cross hybrids and 597 elite lines. Resequencing the parental genotypes identified over 640,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) after filtering. The hybrid panels were tested in 19 environments for susceptibility to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), a pathogen responsible for severe yellow rust (YR) epidemics especially after 2012. QTL patterns in diverse environments showed substantial differences, reflecting spatial and temporal dynamics. Combining high-resolution SNP information, sequence variant annotation and QTL information from different populations obtained via a novel GWAS approach enabled the efficient nomination of candidate genes for YR resistance loci of particular relevance for Central European wheat. The power of the developed strategy for mining data from different experimental populations was demonstrated as the validated resistance gene Yr27 was identified as sole candidate gene for one QTL region.
Jiao-Jiao Wang, Renate H. Schmidt, Guoliang Li et al.· Theoretical and Applied Gene...· 0 citations
The increasing threat posed by wheat rust diseases caused by Puccinia spp. necessitates the development of resistance strategies that extend beyond conventional race-specific mechanisms. Although recent reviews (2023–2025) have emphasized gene discovery and genomic approaches, comparatively less attention has been given to the potential roles of metabolic regulation and micronutrient homeostasis in host–pathogen interactions. Here, we present a narrative synthesis of current evidence and propose a conceptual framework in which induced mutagenesis (ethyl methanesulfonate, EMS, and γ-irradiation) serves as a tool for investigating interactions among redox regulation, iron (Fe) homeostasis, and disease resistance. A key component of this framework is the proposed interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and Fe partitioning. Vacuolar iron transporters (VITs), ferritins, and associated transport networks regulate intracellular Fe distribution and may influence Fe availability at the host–pathogen interface, potentially affecting fungal development and host defense responses. This concept of “iron-withholding immunity” may operate alongside ROS-mediated defense processes, linking metabolism with immune function. Observations from mutant wheat populations are broadly consistent with the hypothesis that these processes may contribute to durable adult-plant resistance (APR), which is characterized by reduced disease development, coordinated defense responses, and relative stability across environments. In some studies, Fe-enriched mutant lines have been associated with enhanced expression of pathogenesis-related genes and the occurrence of combined APR and seedling-resistance phenotypes, suggesting possible links between micronutrient homeostasis and immunity. Integration of high-throughput phenotyping with genotype × environment × time (G × E × T) frameworks may further improve our understanding of quantitative resistance and disease-associated traits. Overall, this review highlights the potential importance of nutrient homeostasis, redox regulation, and susceptibility modulation as components of future research aimed at developing climate-resilient and nutritionally improved wheat cultivars.
S. Kenzhebayeva, Alfiya Abekova, N. Omirbekova et al.· Plants· 0 citations