VSR Dukkipati (2007). A search for genetic factors influencing immune responses to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Doctoral thesis, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. A study was conducted to identify associations between genetic markers and immune responses in Australian fine-wool Merino sheep to a killed Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) vaccine (GudairTM). Blood samples and immune response data (antibody and interferon gamma, IFN-gamma results) were obtained from 934 sheep from a longterm Map vaccination trial undertaken on three independent properties in New South Wales, Australia. Blood samples were genotyped for eight microsatellite markers that included four (DYMS1, OLADRW, OLADRB and SMHCC1) from the Ovar-Mhc region, two each from the SLC11A1 (OVINRA1 and OVINRA2) and IFN-gamma (o(IFN)gamma and OarKP6) gene regions. Vaccination with GudairTM induced strong antibody and IFN-gamma responses as early as two weeks post-vaccination. Between-property differences in magnitude and trend of immune responses, concomitant with season of vaccination and magnitude of natural infection prevalent in individual flocks, were evident. Immune responses in controls on all the three properties remained consistently low, except for slightly elevated IFN-gamma levels at a few time points in controls of properties 2 and 3, concomitant with exposure to natural infection. There were only 2 alleles and 3 genotypes for marker o(IFN)gamma but other loci exhibited extensive polymorphisms, the most occurring at OLADRW which had 42 alleles and 137 genotypes. Heterozygosities varied between 33% (OVINRA2) and 87% (SMHCC1), while polymorphic information contents ranged from 0.31 (o(IFN)gamma) to 0.88 (OLADRW). Genotypes at loci DYMS1, OLADRB, SMHCC1, OVINRA1 and o(IFN)gamma were in Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), while those at OarKP6 were in HWE only when rare alleles (<1.0% frequency) were pooled with the closest size class. Departure from HWE, resulting from possible preferential amplification of alleles in heterozygotes, was evident at OLADRW and OVINRA2. Associations between immune responses and genetic polymorphisms at the marker loci were examined by analysing both genotypic and allelic affects. The study revealed several genotypes/alleles at different marker loci to be significantly associated with antibody and IFN-gamma responses to vaccination with GudairTM. However, the majority of those effects were inconsistent across the three properties. Based on significance and consistency in effects across the three properties, five genotypes (two at DYMS1 and one each at OLADRB, SMHCC1 and OVINRA1) and three alleles (one each at DYMS1, OLADRB and o(IFN)gamma) were considered either ‘probable’ or ‘most likely’ to be associated with low IFN-gamma responses, while a genotype at o(IFN)gamma was considered ‘most likely’ to influence high IFN-gamma responses. An allele at OarKP6 was considered ‘probable’ to be associated with low antibody responses to vaccination. Considering the significance of IFN-gamma responses in protection against Map, it is likely that the identified genotype/alleles influencing IFN-gamma responses to vaccination would also influence immune responses to natural Map infections. However, further studies need to be conducted to determine the role of these marker genotypes/alleles in protection against paratuberculosis under natural infection conditions. Key words: paratuberculosis, OJD, Johne’s disease, sheep, immune response, genetic markers, gene polymorphisms, MHC, SLC11A1, IFN-gamma

European hazelnut is a significant crop in the Pacific Northwest, and the US ranks 4th internationally for hazelnut production. Production in the Pacific Northwest is threatened, however, by the disease eastern filbert blight (EFB) caused by the fungus Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller. To meet the challenges faced by the hazelnut industry in Oregon and Washington, the breeding program at Oregon State University has focused on developing DNA marker technology and producing EFB resistant cultivars. This study focused on developing new microsatellite markers from hazelnut transcriptome sequences and on disease resistance from three accessions ('Culpla,' 'Crvenje,' and OSU 495.072) which showed no disease symptoms following a series of inoculations. DNA markers have been useful in hazelnut breeding for marker-assisted selection, construction of genetic linkage maps, cultivar fingerprinting, and phylogeny studies. Previously developed markers include AFLP, RAPD, ISSR, and microsatellite (SSR) markers developed from enriched libraries and ISSR fragments. This study utilized the transcriptome sequence from 'Jefferson' hazelnut to mine for microsatellites, align with the genomic sequence, design primers, screen for polymorphism, and characterize and map polymorphic markers. A total of 1432 microsatellites were mined from the transcriptome sequence, and the most frequently found motifs were AG (35.8%), AT (13.3%), and AAG (12.7%), and 382 primer pairs were designed. Screening showed that 119 markers were polymorphic, and these were characterized on sets of 50 and 14 accessions. Fifty-three markers that segregated in the mapping population or in three alternate populations were mapped and assigned to linkage groups. A dendrogram showed that accessions clustered mostly according to geographic origin. These results confirm the high level of diversity present in hazelnut, and the markers developed in this study will be useful for further genetics studies in hazelnut. The three EFB resistant parents 'Culpla,' 'Crvenje,' and OSU 495.072 were subjected to two inoculation treatments: greenhouse inoculations and exposure under an inoculation structure. The accessions remained free of disease after both treatments. Progeny segregating for resistance were produced. The progeny were inoculated either in the greenhouse or under the structure, and disease response recorded for each individual. DNA was extracted from seedlings, and sets of 32 seedlings from each resistant parent were screened with previously mapped markers using PCR and capillary electrophoresis. All three resistance sources were correlated with marker A614, allowing the resistance loci to be assigned to linkage group (LG) 6. The progeny were then screened with all known microsatellite markers on LG 6, and linkage maps constructed of the marker loci and resistance loci. Markers KG821, LG628, and LG696 are especially close to the resistance loci and will be useful for marker-assisted selection. Although these resistance loci are located in the same region of LG 6 as the 'Gasaway' resistance gene, they are different from 'Gasaway,' and markers linked to resistance will be useful for introgressing and pyramiding resistance in new cultivars. / Graduation date: 2013

No description available.

No description available.

VSR Dukkipati (2007). A search for genetic factors influencing immune responses to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Doctoral thesis, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. A study was conducted to identify associations between genetic markers and immune responses in Australian fine-wool Merino sheep to a killed Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) vaccine (GudairTM). Blood samples and immune response data (antibody and interferon gamma, IFN-gamma results) were obtained from 934 sheep from a longterm Map vaccination trial undertaken on three independent properties in New South Wales, Australia. Blood samples were genotyped for eight microsatellite markers that included four (DYMS1, OLADRW, OLADRB and SMHCC1) from the Ovar-Mhc region, two each from the SLC11A1 (OVINRA1 and OVINRA2) and IFN-gamma (o(IFN)gamma and OarKP6) gene regions. Vaccination with GudairTM induced strong antibody and IFN-gamma responses as early as two weeks post-vaccination. Between-property differences in magnitude and trend of immune responses, concomitant with season of vaccination and magnitude of natural infection prevalent in individual flocks, were evident. Immune responses in controls on all the three properties remained consistently low, except for slightly elevated IFN-gamma levels at a few time points in controls of properties 2 and 3, concomitant with exposure to natural infection. There were only 2 alleles and 3 genotypes for marker o(IFN)gamma but other loci exhibited extensive polymorphisms, the most occurring at OLADRW which had 42 alleles and 137 genotypes. Heterozygosities varied between 33% (OVINRA2) and 87% (SMHCC1), while polymorphic information contents ranged from 0.31 (o(IFN)gamma) to 0.88 (OLADRW). Genotypes at loci DYMS1, OLADRB, SMHCC1, OVINRA1 and o(IFN)gamma were in Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), while those at OarKP6 were in HWE only when rare alleles (<1.0% frequency) were pooled with the closest size class. Departure from HWE, resulting from possible preferential amplification of alleles in heterozygotes, was evident at OLADRW and OVINRA2. Associations between immune responses and genetic polymorphisms at the marker loci were examined by analysing both genotypic and allelic affects. The study revealed several genotypes/alleles at different marker loci to be significantly associated with antibody and IFN-gamma responses to vaccination with GudairTM. However, the majority of those effects were inconsistent across the three properties. Based on significance and consistency in effects across the three properties, five genotypes (two at DYMS1 and one each at OLADRB, SMHCC1 and OVINRA1) and three alleles (one each at DYMS1, OLADRB and o(IFN)gamma) were considered either ‘probable’ or ‘most likely’ to be associated with low IFN-gamma responses, while a genotype at o(IFN)gamma was considered ‘most likely’ to influence high IFN-gamma responses. An allele at OarKP6 was considered ‘probable’ to be associated with low antibody responses to vaccination. Considering the significance of IFN-gamma responses in protection against Map, it is likely that the identified genotype/alleles influencing IFN-gamma responses to vaccination would also influence immune responses to natural Map infections. However, further studies need to be conducted to determine the role of these marker genotypes/alleles in protection against paratuberculosis under natural infection conditions. Key words: paratuberculosis, OJD, Johne’s disease, sheep, immune response, genetic markers, gene polymorphisms, MHC, SLC11A1, IFN-gamma

VSR Dukkipati (2007). A search for genetic factors influencing immune responses to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Doctoral thesis, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. A study was conducted to identify associations between genetic markers and immune responses in Australian fine-wool Merino sheep to a killed Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) vaccine (GudairTM). Blood samples and immune response data (antibody and interferon gamma, IFN-gamma results) were obtained from 934 sheep from a longterm Map vaccination trial undertaken on three independent properties in New South Wales, Australia. Blood samples were genotyped for eight microsatellite markers that included four (DYMS1, OLADRW, OLADRB and SMHCC1) from the Ovar-Mhc region, two each from the SLC11A1 (OVINRA1 and OVINRA2) and IFN-gamma (o(IFN)gamma and OarKP6) gene regions. Vaccination with GudairTM induced strong antibody and IFN-gamma responses as early as two weeks post-vaccination. Between-property differences in magnitude and trend of immune responses, concomitant with season of vaccination and magnitude of natural infection prevalent in individual flocks, were evident. Immune responses in controls on all the three properties remained consistently low, except for slightly elevated IFN-gamma levels at a few time points in controls of properties 2 and 3, concomitant with exposure to natural infection. There were only 2 alleles and 3 genotypes for marker o(IFN)gamma but other loci exhibited extensive polymorphisms, the most occurring at OLADRW which had 42 alleles and 137 genotypes. Heterozygosities varied between 33% (OVINRA2) and 87% (SMHCC1), while polymorphic information contents ranged from 0.31 (o(IFN)gamma) to 0.88 (OLADRW). Genotypes at loci DYMS1, OLADRB, SMHCC1, OVINRA1 and o(IFN)gamma were in Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), while those at OarKP6 were in HWE only when rare alleles (<1.0% frequency) were pooled with the closest size class. Departure from HWE, resulting from possible preferential amplification of alleles in heterozygotes, was evident at OLADRW and OVINRA2. Associations between immune responses and genetic polymorphisms at the marker loci were examined by analysing both genotypic and allelic affects. The study revealed several genotypes/alleles at different marker loci to be significantly associated with antibody and IFN-gamma responses to vaccination with GudairTM. However, the majority of those effects were inconsistent across the three properties. Based on significance and consistency in effects across the three properties, five genotypes (two at DYMS1 and one each at OLADRB, SMHCC1 and OVINRA1) and three alleles (one each at DYMS1, OLADRB and o(IFN)gamma) were considered either ‘probable’ or ‘most likely’ to be associated with low IFN-gamma responses, while a genotype at o(IFN)gamma was considered ‘most likely’ to influence high IFN-gamma responses. An allele at OarKP6 was considered ‘probable’ to be associated with low antibody responses to vaccination. Considering the significance of IFN-gamma responses in protection against Map, it is likely that the identified genotype/alleles influencing IFN-gamma responses to vaccination would also influence immune responses to natural Map infections. However, further studies need to be conducted to determine the role of these marker genotypes/alleles in protection against paratuberculosis under natural infection conditions. Key words: paratuberculosis, OJD, Johne’s disease, sheep, immune response, genetic markers, gene polymorphisms, MHC, SLC11A1, IFN-gamma

The black rhinoceros remains one of the world's extremely endangered species despite a variety of policies to protect it. The black rhinoceros population at the Great Fish River Reserve (GFRR) in the Eastern Cape in South Africa has increased steadily since their re-introduction in 1986. This megaherbivore is a browser, with a diet obtained largely from the short and medium succulent thicket of the GFRR. Knowledge of the preferential diet of the black rhinoceros on the reserve is an important factor for the effective management of the land and the herbivores that compete for its resources. The dietary preferences of the black rhinoceros at the reserve have been established using backtracking methods. In this study the rbcL gene was used to establish an rbcL gene database of the plants from the GFRR and determine the botanical composition of the black rhinoceros dung from the GFRR. Due to the limited number of rbcL gene plant sequences from the GFRR deposited in the GenBank database, 18 plant species from the GFRR were sequenced. Sequence analyses between the partial rbcL gene sequences generated were able to distinguish between plants down to species level. Plant species from the family Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae showed sequence variation at intra-specific level compared to those of Tiliaceae which were more conserved. The generated rbcL gene sequences from seasonal dung samples were compared to the rbcL gene sequenced from 18 plant species obtained from the GFRR and those from the GenBank database. A wide range of plant species were identified from the dung samples. There were no major differences in botanical composition between the dung samples, except that Grewia spp. were found to dominate in almost all seasons. The results obtained on the free radical scavenging activity of the extracts against 2,2-Diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) increased in the order of methanol > ethyl acetate > chloroform. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the methanol plant extracts increased in the order Brachylaena elliptica > Plumbago auriculata > Grewia robusta > Azima tetracantha. Methanol extracts on the TLC plate sprayed with Fe³⁺-2,4,6-Tri-2-pyridyl-s-triazine (TPTZ) showed that the compounds present in the extracts react differently to ferric ion, with most compounds unable to reduce ferric ion. Furthermore the methanol extracts were able to exhibit reduction potentials vs. Ag/AgCl at low concentrations. The compounds in the extracts were shown to be phenolic acids and flavonoid glycosides.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:42:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 503258 bytes, checksum: 31604e96fb2b70d2540a7ad0128cc921 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-03-19 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Heat stress impacts greatly animal production systems on tropical regions causing economical losses and affects milk production, meat production, physiology, reproduction, calf mortality and utter health. One way to reduce these losses is to use the genetic variation between Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds for heat tolerance coupled with linked molecular markers as an auxiliary tool in breeding programs to produce thermotolerant and more productive animals. This work aimed to map genomic regions related to heat stress on chromosomes 10, 11 and 12 in a F2 population derived from Holstein x Gyr crosses. The following traits were evaluated: variation of rectal temperature after heat stress (DifTR), variation of skin temperature after heat stress (DifTPele), variation on the rate of respiratory movements after heat stress (DifMR), sweating rate after heat stress (TxSud), fur density (DensidPêlo), fur length (CompPêlo), coat length (CompCapa) and coat thickness (EspessCapa). All traits were evaluated in two seasons (wet-warm and dry-cool) and analyzed separatedly. A total of 17 microsatellite loci were genotyped on 480 animals (31 parents, 73 F1 and 376 F2). Association analysis indicated a QTL (p<0,01) for CompPêlo located at the position 72 cM on chromosome 10 for data collected on the wet-warm season. On chromosome 11 it was found an indication of QTL (p<0,05) for TxSud located at the position 0 cM for data collected on the drycool season. On chromosome 12 it was also found an indication of QTL (p<0,05) for CompPêlo located at the position 28 cM for data collected on the dry-cool season. The strategy of genome scan with microsatellite markers was shown to be effective to identify QTL regions related to heat tolerance traits. These mapped regions need to be refined with additional markers to better understand the QTL effects and to identify candidate genes responsible for the effects on these traits. / O estresse calórico, especialmente nas regiões tropicais, consiste em uma importante fonte de perda econômica na pecuária, tendo efeito adverso sobre a produção de leite, produção de carne, fisiologia de produção, reprodução, mortalidade de bezerros e saúde do úbere. Estes efeitos podem ser amenizados utilizando-se a variação genética existente entre as raças de Bos taurus e Bos indicus para as características associadas à resistência ao calor e os marcadores moleculares associados a esta resistência como um auxílio nos programas de melhoramento, visando a obtenção de animais termotolerantes e, consequentemente, mais produtivos. O desenvolvimento deste trabalho buscou mapear regiões genômicas nos cromossomos 10, 11 e 12 relacionadas à resistência ao estresse calórico em uma população F2 de bovinos (Holandês x Gir). As características avaliadas foram: diferença entre a temperatura retal antes e depois da exposição ao estresse calórico (DifTR), diferença entre a temperatura da pele antes e depois da exposição ao estresse calórico (DifTPele), diferença entre a freqüência de movimentos respiratórios antes e depois da exposição ao estresse calórico (DifMR), taxa de sudação após a exposição ao estresse calórico (TxSud), densidade do pêlo (DensidPêlo), comprimento do pêlo (CompPêlo), comprimento da capa (CompCapa) e espessura de capa (EspessCapa). Todas as medidas foram tomadas no verão e no inverno e os dados foram analisados desta forma. Um total de 17 loci microssatélites foram genotipados para 480 animais, sendo 31 parentais, 73 F1 e 376 F2. O resultado das análises de associação mostrou a existência de QTL (p<0,01) para a característica CompPêlo localizado na posição 72 cM do cromossomo 10, com os dados coletados no verão. No cromossomo 11 foi encontrado um QTL sugestivo (p<0,05) para TxSud localizado a 0 cM, com os dados coletados no inverno. No cromossomo 12 foi encontrado também um QTL sugestivo (p<0,05) para a característica CompPêlo localizado a 28 cM, porém, com os dados coletados no inverno. A estratégia da varredura genômica com marcadores microssatélites se mostrou adequada para a detecção de QTL para características de tolerância ao estresse calórico. Estas regiões mapeadas precisam ser refinadas com a adição de marcadores adicionais para um melhor entendimento do efeito de cada QTL e a identificação de genes candidatos responsáveis pela variação nestas características.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:55:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 443777 bytes, checksum: aa47df0593f4494e3ed6277403324b28 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-26 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The objective of this study was mapping QTL on pig chromosomes 16, 17 and 18 and associate them to performance, carcass, internal organs, viscera, carcass cuts and meat quality traits. A F2 population was produced by crossing two naturalized Brazilian Piau sires and 18 commercial dams (Landrace x Large White x Pietrain). The population was genotyped for 11 microsatellite markers. After the genotype scoring, it was constructed the linkage map for these markers in the population. The microsatellites markers were considered appropriate for quantitative trait analysis. It was analyzed their values for observed heterogosity (Ho), expected heterozigosity (He) and polymorphic information content (PIC). The evaluation of the four loci amplified in the SSC16 found average values of Ho, He; and PIC of 0,67, 0,57 and 0,50, respectively. In the SSC17 the average values for Ho, He and PIC of 0,72, 0,61 and 0,56, respectively for the four amplified loci. And in the SSC18, average values of Ho, He and PIC were 0,67, 0,63 and 0,59, respectively for each one of three loci. Data were analyzed by multiple regressions by F2 mapping method using the QTLEXPRESS software. Eleven QTL were mapped and not yet described in the literature: teat number, cooking loss, redness, lower backfat thickness after last lumbar vertebrae, bacon depth, heart weight and lung weight on SSC16. QTL for weight at 63 and 77 days of age were assigned on chromosome 17. QTL for weight at 21 days of age and slaughter age were identified on SSC18. Four QTL Already described in another populations were also identified: weight at 21 days of age on SSC16, backfat thickness after last lumbar vertebrae and after the last rib (at 6,5 cm from the midline ) on SSC17 backfat thickness after last lumbar vertebrae and after the last rib (at 6,5 cm from the midline) and total loss on SSC18. The generated information of significant QTL is useful for future studies dealing with fine mapping to identify genes that could provide a better understanding of the production traits in pigs. / O objetivo ao realizar este trabalho foi o mapeamento de QTL nos cromossomo 16,17 e 18 de suínos e a associação destes a característica de desempenho, de carcaça, órgãos internos e vísceras, de cortes de carcaça e de qualidade de carne. Foi construída uma população F2 provenientes do cruzamento de dois varrões da raça naturalizada Brasileira Piau com 18 fêmeas da linha comercial (Landrace x Large White x Pietrain). Foram utilizados onze marcadores microssatélites distribuídos nos SSC16, SSC17 e SSC18. Com o resultado da genotipagem foi construído o mapa de ligação específico dos marcadores para a população desenvolvida. Os marcadores de microssatélites foram considerados adequados para estudos de características quantitativas, quando foram analisadios os valores de heterozigosidade observada (Ho), heterozigosidade esperada (He) e conteúdo de informação polimórfica (PIC). A avaliação dos quatro locos amplificados no SSC16 forneceu valores das médias da Heterozigosidade observada (Ho) e esperada (He); e do Conteúdo de informação polimórfica (PIC) de 67,62%, de 57,71% e 0,50, respectivamente. No SSC17 foram encontrados os resultados das médias de Ho, He e PIC de 72,20%, 61,40% e 0,56, respectivamente para os 4 locos utilizados. E no SSC18, o valor das médias de Ho, He e de PIC foram 67,80% 63,54% e 0,59, respectivamente utilizando 3 locos. Foi utilizado o método de regressão por intervalo de mapeamento, e as análises foram realizadas por meio do programa QTLEXPRESS. Foram detectados 11 QTL não descritos na literatura: número de tetas, índice de vermelho; perda por cozimento, menor espessura de toucinho na região acima da última vértebra lombar na linha dorso-lombar, espessura de bacon, peso do coração e do pulmão no SSC16; peso aos 63 dias de idade e peso aos 77 dias de idade no SSC 17; peso aos 21 dias e idade de abate no SSC18; e quatro QTL já descritos em outras populações foram também identificados, como para peso aos 21 dias de idade no SSC16, espessura de toucinho medida imediatamente após a última costela, a 6,5 cm da linha dorso-lombar no SSC17, espessura de toucinho medida imediatamente após a última costela, a 6,5 cm da linha dorsolombar e perda total no SSC18. As informações dos QTL significativos encontrados servem como base de estudos futuros de mapeamento fino para identificação de genes permitindo o melhor entendimento das características de produção em suínos.

Triticum aestivum (bread wheat), one of the most globally important cereal crops, is vulnerable to fusarium head blight (FHB). The disease is mainly associated with the pathogen Fusarium graminearum and generates yield losses and mycotoxin contaminated grains with low quality. One possible solution to overcome this problem is the production of FHB resistant wheat varieties by crossing with strongly resistant germplasm from either wheat or closely related species. Thinopyrum elongatum is a wild grass that carries genetic resistance to FHB on the long arm of its chromosome 7E (7EL). In the first part of this research project, five Th. elongatum accessions were characterized for their response to F. graminearum infection. In the second part, BC1F4 progeny derived from the cross CS-ph1b × CS-7E(7D) were characterized to better define the 7E fragments introgressed into the 7D chromosome. Progeny were screened with a series of known 7E-specific genetic markers and for their FHB resistance. Among the 43 wheat plants tested, twelve FHB resistant progeny were shown to carry a similar, smaller 7EL introgressed fragment based on genetic marker screening. To characterize further the introgressed 7EL fragments, additional 7EL-specific markers as well as 7DL-specific markers for homoeologous wheat sequences were designed. As neither wheat nor Th. elongatum genomes were fully sequenced at the time, this made the designing procedure challenging; a cross-walking strategy between wheat and Th. elongatum draft genomic sequences was used. Twelve pairs of markers for homoeologous sequence regions of 7EL and 7DL chromosomes plus six individual 7EL- and four 7DL-specific markers were successfully designed. Nine novel 7EL-specific markers were associated with the smallest 7EL fragment carrying FHB resistance. That smallest introgressed 7EL fragment replaced approximately half of the 7DL chromosome, based on the absence of 7DL markers in some progeny. The novel 7EL- and 7DL-specific markers as well as the proposed genetic order for novel and previously designed markers contributed greatly to the characterization of the introgressed 7EL fragments in the 7DL chromosome. Further analysis of progeny from the next generations of these plants and from other families will be required to confirm the results and possibly obtain much smaller 7EL fragments.