Canola blackleg breakthrough

6 May 2019

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) researchers have identified genetic regions which could be used to develop new canola varieties with durable resistance to blackleg disease.

A three-year international study under field and glasshouse conditions led by DPI molecular scientist, Harsh Raman, found multiple genes throughout the canola genome can control resistance to blackleg.

“Eight regions on the canola genome with resistance to blackleg were detected across diverse environments including Australia, the United Kingdom and France,” Dr Raman said.

“These identified genomic regions could be targeted to breed elite canola varieties with durable or long-term blackleg resistance and global application.”

Blackleg disease is caused by the fungus, Leptosphaeria maculans, the most devastating pathogen affecting crops since1970, which threatens canola production worldwide.

Dr Raman said identification of a durable source with multigene resistance is significant for Australian canola production systems, where the pathogen is highly diverse.

“Durable resistance genes offer opportunities for canola breeders to develop new varieties with quantitative resistance,” he said.

“We continuously need to discover new sources of major and quantitative resistance in canola and related species to minimise yield losses.

“Major resistance genes often do not protect canola plants in the long-term, as gene mutations in the blackleg pathogen render those genes ineffective over time.

“Given that quantitative resistance is difficult to select and is complicated by environmental factors, molecular markers linked with resistant loci could be used to enhance blackleg resistance in canola germplasm.”

Australian farmers use crop rotation, stubble management, seed dressing and resistant varieties to manage blackleg disease, with resistant varieties the most widely adopted, cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach.

This research was funded through NSW DPI, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Victoria’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, University of Western Australia and INRA, France.

Results from the study were recently published in the international journal, Frontiers in plant science.

Photographs available from bernadette.york@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Media contact: Bernadette York (02) 6938 1664, 0427 773 785