Evaluation of oat genotypes for species-specific and cross-resistance to Fusarium species and the role of trichomes in susceptibility
IntroductionFusarium head blight (FHB), caused by various Fusarium species, poses a significant threat to oat grain quality and yield. The presence of multiple Fusarium species raises the question whether FHB resistance in oats can be broadly effective and species non-specific (cross-resistance), or...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1608030/full |
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| author | Selma Schurack Charlotte Rodemann Klaus Oldach Steffen Beuch Sophie Brodführer Andreas von Tiedemann Matthias Heinrich Herrmann |
| author_facet | Selma Schurack Charlotte Rodemann Klaus Oldach Steffen Beuch Sophie Brodführer Andreas von Tiedemann Matthias Heinrich Herrmann |
| author_sort | Selma Schurack |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionFusarium head blight (FHB), caused by various Fusarium species, poses a significant threat to oat grain quality and yield. The presence of multiple Fusarium species raises the question whether FHB resistance in oats can be broadly effective and species non-specific (cross-resistance), or whether it is rather species-specific. While several morphological and biochemical factors are known to influence FHB resistance, the role of hull trichomes in oat resistance remains unclear.MethodsIn this study, 25 oat genotypes were evaluated for resistance to Fusarium graminearum (FG), F. sporotrichioides (FS), and F. poae (FP) in multiple field trials across Germany. Infection severity was quantified using Fusarium species-specific qPCR. Microscopic analyses were conducted to characterize trichome size and density on the lemma and palea. Results and discussionSpecies-specific qPCR showed the highest fungal biomass for FP, followed by FS and FG. Variability due to environmental factors was very high, resulting in rather low heritabilities for FG (0.50) and FS (0.36), and no significant genotype effect for FP. A significant positive correlation was found between FP and FS infection, whereas FG infection was not correlated with either FP or FS. Trichome size and density showed significant genotype-specific variation with high heritability (0.97). FG biomass was positively correlated with trichome size and density, and FG hyphae were observed in close interaction with trichomes and stomata. Our results indicate the presence of partial cross-resistance for FS and FP in addition to mostly species-specific resistance and suggest a role for trichomes in susceptibility to FG. These findings provide important insights for the development of Fusarium-resistant oat varieties while underscoring the complexity of breeding for broad FHB resistance in oats. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-18eb9e55ea77490d9e543ae584e076d1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-18eb9e55ea77490d9e543ae584e076d12025-08-20T03:03:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-08-011610.3389/fpls.2025.16080301608030Evaluation of oat genotypes for species-specific and cross-resistance to Fusarium species and the role of trichomes in susceptibilitySelma Schurack0Charlotte Rodemann1Klaus Oldach2Steffen Beuch3Sophie Brodführer4Andreas von Tiedemann5Matthias Heinrich Herrmann6Institute for Breeding Research on Agricultural Crops, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Sanitz, GermanyPlant Pathology and Crop Protection Division, Georg-August University Goettingen, Goettingen, GermanyKWS LOCHOW GmbH, Bergen, GermanyNordsaat Saatzucht GmbH, Zuchtstation Granskevitz, Schaprode, GermanySaatzucht Bauer GmbH & Co. KG, Obertraubling, GermanyPlant Pathology and Crop Protection Division, Georg-August University Goettingen, Goettingen, GermanyInstitute for Breeding Research on Agricultural Crops, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Sanitz, GermanyIntroductionFusarium head blight (FHB), caused by various Fusarium species, poses a significant threat to oat grain quality and yield. The presence of multiple Fusarium species raises the question whether FHB resistance in oats can be broadly effective and species non-specific (cross-resistance), or whether it is rather species-specific. While several morphological and biochemical factors are known to influence FHB resistance, the role of hull trichomes in oat resistance remains unclear.MethodsIn this study, 25 oat genotypes were evaluated for resistance to Fusarium graminearum (FG), F. sporotrichioides (FS), and F. poae (FP) in multiple field trials across Germany. Infection severity was quantified using Fusarium species-specific qPCR. Microscopic analyses were conducted to characterize trichome size and density on the lemma and palea. Results and discussionSpecies-specific qPCR showed the highest fungal biomass for FP, followed by FS and FG. Variability due to environmental factors was very high, resulting in rather low heritabilities for FG (0.50) and FS (0.36), and no significant genotype effect for FP. A significant positive correlation was found between FP and FS infection, whereas FG infection was not correlated with either FP or FS. Trichome size and density showed significant genotype-specific variation with high heritability (0.97). FG biomass was positively correlated with trichome size and density, and FG hyphae were observed in close interaction with trichomes and stomata. Our results indicate the presence of partial cross-resistance for FS and FP in addition to mostly species-specific resistance and suggest a role for trichomes in susceptibility to FG. These findings provide important insights for the development of Fusarium-resistant oat varieties while underscoring the complexity of breeding for broad FHB resistance in oats.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1608030/fullAvena sativaFusarium graminearumFusarium poaeFusarium sporotrichioidesqPCRresistance |
| spellingShingle | Selma Schurack Charlotte Rodemann Klaus Oldach Steffen Beuch Sophie Brodführer Andreas von Tiedemann Matthias Heinrich Herrmann Evaluation of oat genotypes for species-specific and cross-resistance to Fusarium species and the role of trichomes in susceptibility Frontiers in Plant Science Avena sativa Fusarium graminearum Fusarium poae Fusarium sporotrichioides qPCR resistance |
| title | Evaluation of oat genotypes for species-specific and cross-resistance to Fusarium species and the role of trichomes in susceptibility |
| title_full | Evaluation of oat genotypes for species-specific and cross-resistance to Fusarium species and the role of trichomes in susceptibility |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of oat genotypes for species-specific and cross-resistance to Fusarium species and the role of trichomes in susceptibility |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of oat genotypes for species-specific and cross-resistance to Fusarium species and the role of trichomes in susceptibility |
| title_short | Evaluation of oat genotypes for species-specific and cross-resistance to Fusarium species and the role of trichomes in susceptibility |
| title_sort | evaluation of oat genotypes for species specific and cross resistance to fusarium species and the role of trichomes in susceptibility |
| topic | Avena sativa Fusarium graminearum Fusarium poae Fusarium sporotrichioides qPCR resistance |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1608030/full |
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