Transformation of fungal isolates with avirulence genes provides tools for identification of corresponding resistance genes in the host plant

Abstract

The identification and characterisation of resistance genes in breeding lines and commercial cultivars is often required for the development of disease control strategies such as rotation, stacking or spatial deployment of resistance genes. Sets of differential fungal isolates can be used to identify resistance genes present in breeding lines and cultivars, however, interpretation of results can be hindered by the presence of novel (previously uncharacterised) resistance genes or the stacking of multiple resistance genes. In this study, we generate a set of Leptosphaeria maculans differential addition isolates by transforming isolates with single avirulence genes (AvrLm1 or AvrLm4-7). These ..