Novel Fusarium Wilt Resistance Genes Uncovered in the Wild Progenitors and Heirloom Cultivars of Strawberry

Fusarium wilt, a soilborne disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae , poses a significant threat to strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa ) production in many parts of the world. This pathogen causes wilting, collapse, and death in susceptible genotypes. We previously identified a dominant gene ( FW1 ) on chromosome 2B that confers resistance to race 1 of the pathogen and hypothesized that gene-for-gene resistance to Fusarium wilt was widespread in strawberry. To explore this, a genetically diverse collection of heirloom and modern cultivars and wild octoploid ecotypes were screened for resistance to Fusarium wilt races 1 and 2. Here we show that resistance to both races is widespread and that resistance to race 1 is mediated by dominant genes ( FW1 , FW2 , FW3 , FW4 , and FW5 ) on three non-homoeologous chromosomes (1A, 2B, and 6B). The resistance proteins encoded by these genes are not yet known; however, plausible candidates were identified that encode pattern recognition receptor or other proteins known to mediate gene-for-gene resistance in plants. High-throughput genotyping assays for SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with FW1 - FW5 were developed to facilitate marker-assisted selection and accelerate the development of race 1 resistant cultivars. This study laid the foundation for identifying the genes encoded by FW1 - FW5 , in addition to exploring the genetics of resistance to race 2 and other races of the pathogen, as a precaution to averting a Fusarium wilt pandemic. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.