Identification of candidate genes for rust resistance in asparagus

Asparagus yield can be reduced by rust, a disease caused by the fungus Puccinia asparagi. Understanding the genetic basis of rust resistance and identification of genes related to that trait will help in characterizing rust resistance mechanisms and facilitate breeding applications.
We have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with rust in a mapping population derived from the cross between the parents ‘CM048’ (resistant) and ‘WR041’ (susceptible). Those SNPs mapped within a region on chromosome 5. The objective of this study was to characterize that genomic region and identify candidate genes for rust resistance.
The region of interest spans about 14 M bp and comprises 233 loci.
Gene encoding-sequences were retrieved from the reference asparagus genome assembly from the NCBI, and their functional annotations were performed using Omics Box.
We focused mainly on 8 sequences associated with the GO term ‘response to stress’. Notably, one locus was annotated as a chitinase-like protein 1, which is an orthologue of functional characterized genes that are known to play key roles in disease responses in monocots.
The role of the chitinase as a candidate gene in rust resistance will be discussed.

XV International Asparagus Symposium

P. Castro, R. Moreno, T. Millan, J. Gil, J.V. Die

chitinase, functional annotation, physical map, SNP

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1376.1