Plant Resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus: Investigation of the Presence of Wsm1 Gene in Different Wheat Varieties Grown in Ukraine

• Дата: 2026
• Автори: Mishchenko, L.T., Dunich, A.A., Mishchenko, I.A., Motsnyi, І.І., Dashchenko, A.V., Molodchenkova, O.O., Міщенко, Л.Т., Дуніч, A.A., Міщенко, I.A., Моцний, І.І., Дащенко, A.В., Молодченкова, O.O.
• Формат: Стаття
• Мова: Англійська
• Опубліковано: PH "Akademperiodyka" of the NAS of Ukraine 2026
• Онлайн доступ: https://ojs.microbiolj.org.ua/index.php/mj/article/view/418
• Назва журналу: Microbiological Journal

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) is the most harmful virus of cereals and is an economically important virus in wheat grown in many countries, including Ukraine. The most effective plant defense against viruses is effector-triggered immunity (ETI) provided by R proteins encoded by R genes. The R gene, which is named Wsm1, provides broad wheat resistance against WSMV compared to the other three known today resistance genes. The goal of this study was to screen wheat varieties grown in Ukraine for the presence of resistance gene Wsm1 using a PCR-based marker. Methods. Visual diagnosis, DAS-ELISA, total RNA extraction, and RT-PCR were used for the WSMV identification in wheat samples. Extraction of plant genomic DNA and PCR with primers for the detection of the Wsm1 gene were carried out. Bioassay and ELISA were used for checking the effectiveness of Wsm1-based resistance.  Results. For the first time in Ukraine, screening of 102 wheat varieties/breeding lines for the presence of the Wsm1 gene was performed using a PCR-based marker. Our study demonstrates that the Wsm1 gene is present in the 12 investigated wheat varieties/breeding lines that are widely used in Ukrainian farms. Bioassay results confirmed by DAS-ELISA show effectiveness of the resistance gene Wsm1 against WSMV inoculation in experimental conditions. Conclusions. Investigated wheat varieties carrying the Wsm1 gene can be provided to the breeding programs in Ukraine. To our knowledge, this is the first report about screening different wheat varieties grown in Ukraine for the presence of the Wsm1 gene.