Fine mapping of the Rrs1 resistance locus against scald in two large populations derived from Spanish barley landraces.

In two Spanish barley landraces with outstanding resistance to scald, the Rrs1 Rh4 locus was fine mapped including all known markers used in previous studies and closely linked markers were developed. Scald, caused by Rhynchosporium commune, is one of the most prevalent barley diseases worldwide. A search for new resistance sources revealed that Spanish landrace-derived lines SBCC145 and SBCC154 showed outstanding resistance to scald.

Pm50: a new powdery mildew resistance gene in common wheat derived from cultivated emmer.

Fungal diseases of wheat, including powdery mildew, cause significant crop, yield and quality losses throughout the world. Knowledge of the genetic basis of powdery mildew resistance will greatly support future efforts to develop and cultivate resistant cultivars. Studies were conducted on cultivated emmer-derived wheat line K2 to identify genes involved in powdery mildew resistance at the seedling and adult plant growth stages using a BC(1) doubled haploid population derived from a cross between K2 and susceptible cultivar Audace.

Molecular characterisation of resistance against potato wart races 1, 2, 6 and 18 in a tetraploid population of potato (Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum).

Potato wart is caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus Synchytrium endobioticum, which is subject to quarantine regulations due to the production of long persisting spores in the soil and the lack of effective fungicides. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance against potato wart races (R) 1, 2, 6 and 18 in a tetraploid potato population developed by crossing cv. Saturna (resistant to R1) with cv.

Molecular mapping of powdery mildew resistance gene Eg-3 in cultivated oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Rollo).

Powdery mildew is a prevalent fungal disease affecting oat (Avena sativa L.) production in Europe. Common oat cultivar Rollo was previously shown to carry the powdery mildew resistance gene Eg-3 in common with cultivar Mostyn.

Fate of Cry1Ab protein in agricultural systems under slurry management of cows fed genetically modified maize (Zea mays L.) MON810: a quantitative assessment.

The objective of the study was to track the fate of recombinant Cry1Ab protein in a liquid manure field trial when feeding GM maize MON810 to dairy cows. A validated ELISA was applied for quantification of Cry1Ab in the agricultural chain from GM maize plants, feed, liquid manure and soil to crops grown on manured fields. Starting with 23.

Determination of insecticidal Cry1Ab protein in soil collected in the final growing seasons of a nine-year field trial of Bt-maize MON810.

Cultivation of genetically modified maize (Bt-maize; event MON810) producing recombinant δ-endotoxin Cry1Ab, leads to introduction of the insecticidal toxin into soil by way of root exudates and plant residues. This study investigated the fate of Cry1Ab in soil under long-term Bt-maize cultivation in an experimental field trial performed over nine growing seasons on four South German field sites cultivated with MON810 and its near isogenic non Bt-maize variety. Cry1Ab protein was quantified in soil (<2 mm size) using an in-house validated ELISA method.

Cultivation and breeding of Chinese medicinal plants in Germany.

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is increasingly used in Germany and Europe. Due to the need for herbal drugs of consistent quality and reliable supply, methods for commercial field cultivation and post-harvest processing under south German conditions have been developed for selected plant species used in CHM since 1999. The project used an interdisciplinary approach covering all aspects from seed sourcing to medicinal application.

A major QTL for resistance against Fusarium head blight in European winter wheat.

We report on the verification of a resistance quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 1BL (now designated Qfhs.lfl-1BL) which had been previously identified in the winter wheat cultivar Cansas. For a more precise estimation of the QTL effect and its influence on plant height and heading date lines with a more homogeneous genetic background were created and evaluated in four environments after spray inoculation with Fusarium culmorum.

Inheritance of resistance to Fusarium head blight in three European winter wheat populations.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance is of particular importance in wheat breeding programmes due to the detrimental effects of this fungal disease on human and animal health, yield and grain quality. Segregation for FHB resistance in three European winter wheat populations enabled the identification of resistance loci in well-adapted germplasm. Populations obtained from crosses of resistant cultivars Apache, History and Romanus with susceptible semi-dwarfs Biscay, Rubens and Pirat, respectively, were mapped and analysed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FHB severity, ear emergence time and plant height.

Comparative analysis on the genetic relatedness of Sorghum bicolor accessions from Southern Africa by RAPDs, AFLPs and SSRs.

In order to get an overview on the genetic relatedness of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) landraces and cultivars grown in low-input conditions of small-scale farming systems, 46 sorghum accessions derived from Southern Africa were evaluated on the basis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLPs), random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and simple sequence repeats (SSRs). By this approach all sorghum accessions were uniquely fingerprinted by all marker systems. Mean genetic similarity was estimated at 0.

A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of sugar beet and a physical map of the region encompassing the bolting gene B.

In sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), early bolting is caused by a single dominant gene, designated B. Twenty AFLP markers selected from a 7.

Determining the sample size for co-dominant molecular marker-assisted linkage detection for a monogenic qualitative trait by controlling the type-I and type-II errors in a segregating F2 population.

Tests for linkage are usually performed using the lod score method. A critical question in linkage analyses is the choice of sample size. The appropriate sample size depends on the desired type-I error and power of the test.

High-resolution mapping of the bolting gene B of sugar beet.

Sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) is a biennial species. Shoot elongation (bolting) starts after a period of low temperature.