Resistance quantitative trait loci originating from Solanum sparsipilum act independently on the sex ratio of Globodera pallida and together for developing a necrotic reaction

Plant resistance to nematodes is related to the ability of the host to reduce the development of nematode juveniles into females. Resistance to the potato cyst nematode (PCN) Globodera pallida, originating from the wild species Solanum sparsipilum, was dissected by a quantitative trait loci (QTL) approach. Two QTL explained 89% of the phenotypic variation. The QTL GpaV(spl)(s) on chromosome V displayed the major effect on the cyst number (coefficient of determination [R-2] = 76.6%). It restricted G. pallida development to 16.2% of juveniles, 81.5% of males, and 2.3% of females. The QTL GpaXI(spl)(s) on chromosome XI displayed a lower effect on the cyst number (R-2 = 12.7%). It restricted G. pallida development to 13.8% of juveniles, 35.4% of males, and 50.8% of females. Clones carrying both QTL restricted the nematode development to 58.1% juveniles, 41.1% of males, and 0.8% of females. We demonstrated that potato clones carrying both QTL showed a strong necrotic reaction in roots infected by nematodes, while no such reaction was observed in clones carrying a single QTL. This result underlines the importance to introgress together GpaV(spl)(s) and GpaXI(spl)(s) into potato cultivars, in order to reduce the density of this quarantine pest in soil and to decrease the risk of selecting overcoming G. pallida subpopulations.