Evaluation of Cotton Leaf Curl Virus Resistance in BC1, BC2, and BC3 Progenies from an Interspecific Cross between Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium hirsutum

Abstract

Cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD) is an important constraint to cotton production. The resistance of G. arboreum to this devastating disease is well documented. In the present investigation, we explored the possibility of transferring genes for resistance to CLCuD from G. arboreum (2n = 26) cv 15-Mollisoni into G. hirsutum (2n = 52) cv CRSM-38 through conventional breeding. We investigated the cytology of the BC1 to BC3 progenies of direct and reciprocal crosses of G. arboreum and G. hirsutum and evaluated their resistance to CLCuD. The F1 progenies were completely resistant to this disease, while a decrease in resistance was observed in all backcross generations. As backcrossing progressed, the disease incidence increased in BC1 (1.7–2.0%), BC2 (1.8–4.0%), and BC3 (4.2–7.0%). However, the disease incidence was much lower than that of the check variety CIM-496, with a CLCuD incidence of 96%. Additionally, the disease incidence percentage was lower in the direct cross 2(G. arboreum)×G. hirsutum than in that of G. hirsutum×G. arboreum. Phenotypic resemblance of BC1 ∼BC3 progenies to G. arboreum confirmed the success of cross between the two species. Cytological studies of CLCuD-resistant plants revealed that the frequency of univalents and multivalents was high in BC1, with sterile or partially fertile plants, but low in BC2 (in both combinations), with shy bearing plants. In BC3, most of the plants exhibited normal bearing ability due to the high frequency of chromosome associations (bivalents). The assessment of CLCuD through grafting showed that the BC1 to BC3 progenies were highly resistant to this disease. Thus, this study successfully demonstrates the possibility of introgressing CLCuD resistance genes from G. arboreum to G. hirsutum.

Genetics and Genomics of Cotton Leaf Curl Disease, Its Viral Causal Agents and Whitefly Vector: A Way Forward to Sustain Cotton Fiber Security

“…In BC 3 , substantial number of plants retained significant number of bolls because of the high frequency of chromosome pairings (bivalents). Thus, this study has shown successful introgression of resistant genes from G. arboreum to G. hirsutum ( Nazeer et al, 2014 ).…”

Biochemical evidence of epicuticular wax compounds involved in cotton-whitefly interaction

“…Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) caused by CLCuV is a serious disease of cotton and several other malvaceous plant species transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci . No variety of Gossypium hirsutum has been reported as resistant against devastating virus whose carrier is whitefly [ 9 ]. This disease was reported in Pakistan and India but gradually it has spread to other cotton growing areas of the world, especially south China.…”

“…Epicuticular waxes in cotton are of different types and variation has been reported from species to species in terms of amount and composition [8]. Among these Asiatic cotton or Gossypium arboreum is well documented as resistant against CLCuD, not a single variety of Gossypium hirsutum has been reported as resistant against CLCuD [9]. Barozai and Husnain (2014) have reported a higher amount of wax in G. arboreum than G. hirsutum [10,11].…”

Genetic Factors Underlying Single Fiber Quality in A-Genome Donor Asian Cotton (Gossypium arboreum)

“…Its valuable traits include strengthened fiber, high seed index, and high oil content ( Mehetre et al, 2003 ). Additionally, resistances against biotic stresses viz; reniform nematode ( Erpelding and Stetina, 2013 ), tobacco budworm ( Hedin et al, 1992 ), Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) ( Nazeer et al, 2014 ), and thrips ( Stanton et al, 1992 ) can possibly be introgressed to G . hirsutum .…”