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Progress in Identifying MLN Resistant M aize G ermplasm. George Mahuku, D. Makumbi, D. Bish , A. Wangai, Y . Beyene, S. Mugo, K . Semagn, and B.M . Prasanna .
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Progress in Identifying MLN Resistant Maize Germplasm George Mahuku, D. Makumbi, D. Bish, A. Wangai, Y. Beyene, S. Mugo, K. Semagn, and B.M. Prasanna Workshop to develop a strategic plan for Maize Lethal Necrosis disease for Eastern and Central Africa, Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya, 21-23 August, 2013.
What is Maize Lethal Necrosis MLN Potyvirus SCMV MDMV WSMV MCMV • Individual infection with each virus can also cause disease • Typically, infection with one virus results in milder symptoms than MLN but reaction depends on germplasm and viral strain.
Virus: Either individual or compound Susceptible Germplasm MLN Development Vectors: Presence of aphids and thrips, other insects Environment: Conditions favoring vectors and disease
Requirements to identifying MLN resistant germplasm Disease screening tools Diverse germplasm Test locations with consistently high biotic stresses pressure Standardized screening protocols
Resistance screening tools • Use field, screen house and laboratory-based screening tools • Established using artificial inoculation or infestation • Standardized disease establishment and evaluation protocols • Ability to handle large populations / germplasm (high throughput for large scale screening) • Diagnosis of viruses • Use hot-spot locations with consistently high disease, and pest pressure for screening • Re-evaluate selected resistant materials in multiple-locations to expose them to different strains or biotypes
Screening maize germplasm for MLN: Artificial inoculation MCMV amplification SCMV amplification MCMV + SCMV amplification
Field inoculation and reaction of germplasm Variation for reaction to MLN disease as of 2, January 2012
Centralized MLN screening Facility • 20 Ha being established in Naivasha for MLN screening • Labs • Greenhouses • Field
Use of Disease Hot Spots • Use hot-spot locations with consistently high disease, and pest pressure for screening • Naivasha, Kenya • Bomet, Kenya • Babati, Tanzania • Arusha, Tanzania • Need to identify more sites in other countries
Diverse germplasm • Sufficient genetic variation exists for most diseases, pests and parasitic plants in maize • Locally adapted or introduced maize germplasm • Landrace collections • Old varieties and breeding stocks • Resistance alleles in these genetic resources can occur at low or high frequencies • Resistance genes occurring at low frequencies can be gradually increased • Genes at high frequency are easy to transfer
Reaction of selected hybrids to MLN disease Entry 1-17: elite experimental hybrids Entry 18: Susceptible tester Entry 20-22: Tolerant SC testers Entry 23-28: Commercial checks
Why develop standardized protocols? • Harmonize data collection amongst sites • Enable collaborators and partners to interpret and share data • Support registration, regulation and release of varieties across borders • Optimization time and resources devoted to screening • Good phenotyping is key to identifying good markers and developing MLN resistant germplasm.
Conclusions • There is genetic variation for response to MLN • Extensive screening of germplasm may lead to identification of more sources of resistance • Need to identify more sites and create a network of Screening Sites • Develop standardized protocols and transfer to partners
Challenges • Lack of knowledge on number of strains of different viruses • Little or no knowledge on epidemiology of MLN in Africa • Lack of guidelines on management of vectors • Restrictions on movement of seed for research across countries • Lack of dedicated greenhouse for inoculum generation and large farms for germplasm screening
Acknowledgement • KARI • Monsanto • USDA Ohio State University • Sunripe Farm, Naivasha • Olerai Farm, Narok