Segregation of Eastern Filbert Blight Disease Response and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Markers in Three European–American Interspecific Hybrid Hazelnut Populations

The perennial stem canker disease eastern filbert blight (EFB), caused by Anisogramma anomala , is devastating to most trees of European hazelnut ( Corylus avellana ), as genetic resistance rare in the species. pathogen harbored wild American americana ) found throughout much North America. Wild generally resistant or tolerant EFB, and fully cross compatible with C. species grown commercially for its nuts, making it a valuable resource breeding. objective this study was identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated EFB tolerance these two Three unrelated EFB-resistant selections [Oregon State University (OSU) 533.069 from Pennsylvania, OSU 403.040 Nebraska, 557.122 Wisconsin] were crossed ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ (TdG), cultivar Italy known be EFB. Their progenies, each containing 124 trees, exposed A. through field inoculations natural spread over 7 years, then tree evaluated cumulative response. Results showed that response all three populations exhibited roughly normal distribution, indicating resistance/tolerance under multigenic control. An average 2869 total markers used construct population’s linkage map following genotyping, which included an 121 published simple sequence repeat anchor groups (LGs) those previous studies. Linkage maps constructed parent population QTLs subsequent analysis resolved five EFB-related across populations, highlighting genic regions. Unexpectedly, only one QTL identified parents, located on LG11 403.040, whereas similar region LG10 TdG, fifth LG6 TdG map. lack strong parents suggests their may highly not within constraints study. In contrast, appears conferred limited number genes relatively effects. Based prior mapping work where R have been LG2, LG6, LG7, represent novel These present new targets marker aided breeding, especially when pyramiding goal.