Mapping resistance to the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) in barley

P>Aphid resistance is a desirable trait in barley to combat the spread of the barley yellow dwarf virus and also to reduce the direct damage that aphids can inflict on cereals. A significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on barley chromosome 3H was mapped based on a doubled-haploid population derived from F1 of the cross 'Lina' x '5172-28:4' that showed segregation for resistance to bird cherry-oat aphid. This QTL explained 9% of the variance in aphid growth and is a novel QTL for aphid resistance to bird cherry-oat aphid. Combining this QTL on chromosome 3H with another major QTL on chromosome 2H would potentially provide a more durable and higher level of resistance. Depending on the prevalent species in the cultivated areas, pyramiding resistance to other aphid species such as the corn leaf aphid and the Russian wheat aphid will provide greater protection to the plant in the field against both aphids and barley yellow dwarf virus.