Recombinant inbred lines derived from wide crosses in Pisum

Genomic resources are becoming available for Pisum but to link these to phenotypic diversity requires well marked populations segregating for relevant traits. Here we describe two such resources. Two recombinant inbred populations, derived from wide crosses in Pisum are described. One high resolution mapping population involves cv Caméor, for which the first pea whole genome assembly was obtained, crossed to JI0281, a basally divergent P. sativum sativum landrace from Ethiopia. The other is an inter sub-specific cross between P. s. sativum and the independently domesticated P. s. abyssinicum. The corresponding genetic maps provide information on chromosome level sequence assemblies and identify structural differences between the genomes of these two Pisum subspecies. In order to visualise chromosomal translocations that distinguish the mapping parents, we created a simplified version of Threadmapper to optimise it for interactive 3-dimensional display of multiple linkage groups. The genetic mapping of traits affecting seed coat roughness and colour, plant height, axil ring pigmentation, leaflet number and leaflet indentation enabled the definition of their corresponding genomic regions. The consequence of structural rearrangement for trait analysis is illustrated by leaf serration. These analyses pave the way for identification of the underlying genes and illustrate the utility of these publicly available resources. Segregating inbred populations derived from wide crosses in Pisum, together with the associated marker data, are made publicly available for trait dissection. Genetic analysis of these populations is informative about chromosome scale assemblies, structural diversity in the pea genome and has been useful for the fine mapping of several discrete and quantitative traits.

Persistence and transgenerational effect of plant-mediated RNAi in aphids

Plant-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) has been successfully used as a tool to study gene function in aphids. The persistence and transgenerational effects of plant-mediated RNAi in the green peach aphid (GPA) Myzus persicae were investigated, with a focus on three genes with different functions in the aphid. Rack1 is a key component of various cellular processes inside aphids, while candidate effector genes MpC002 and MpPIntO2 (Mp2) modulate aphid-plant interactions. The gene sequences and functions did not affect RNAi-mediated down-regulation and persistence levels in the aphids. Maximal reduction of gene expression was ~70% and this was achieved at between 4 d and 8 d of exposure of the aphids to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-producing transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, gene expression levels returned to wild-type levels within ~6 d after removal of the aphids from the transgenic plants, indicating that a continuous supply of dsRNA is required to maintain the RNAi effect. Target genes were also down-regulated in nymphs born from mothers exposed to dsRNA-producing transgenic plants, and the RNAi effect lasted twice as long (12-14 d) in these nymphs. Investigations of the impact of RNAi over three generations of aphids revealed that aphids reared on dsMpC002 transgenic plants experienced a 60% decline in aphid reproduction levels compared with a 40% decline of aphids reared on dsRack1 and dsMpPIntO2 plants. In a field setting, a reduction of the aphid reproduction by 40-60% would dramatically decrease aphid population growth, contributing to a substantial reduction in agricultural losses.