Rvi4 and Rvi15 are the same apple scab resistance genes

The apple (Malus x domestica) scab (Venturia inaequalis) resistance genes Rvi4 and Rvi15 were mapped to a similar region on the top of linkage group 2 and both resistance genes elicit the same type of resistance reaction, i.e., a hypersensitive response; hence, it is suspected that the two genes may be the same. As the two resistance genes Rvi4 and Rvi15 are currently used in apple breeding, it is important to clarify whether the two resistance genes are the same or not. Several approaches were used to make this determination. First, the pedigree of the genotype GMAL 2473, the source of Rvi15, was reconstructed. GMAL 2473 was found to be an F1 of ‘Russian seedling’, the genotype, which is known to also be the source of Rvi4. Next, it was further demonstrated that ‘Regia’, a cultivar known to carry Rvi4 (and Rvi2), carries the same gene (Vr2-C), which was demonstrated to be the gene inducing Rvi15 resistance. Finally, it was shown that transgenic lines carrying Vr2-C are compatible with race 4 apple scab isolates. Taken all together, these results definitively demonstrate that Rvi4 and Rvi15 are the same resistance gene. For future studies, we suggest referring to this resistance with the first name that was assigned to this gene, namely Rvi4.