Discovery, characterisation and mapping of wheat leaf rust resistance gene Lr71

A temporarily designated gene LrARK12c (identified from spelt wheat cv. Altgold Rotkorn) with an intermediate low infection type was found effective against prevalent Australian Puccinia triticina (Pt) pathotypes. The gene was mapped to chromosome 1B between markers Xgwm18 and Xbarc187, with linkage distances of 1.0 and 1.3 cM, respectively. While it was not possible to assign a definitive chromosomal arm location to LrARK12c, it maps close to the centromere based on physical mapping of SSR marker loci using deletion lines. Other genes conferring resistance to Pt in chromosome 1B include Lr33, Lr44 and Lr46. Genetic analysis showed that LrARK12c and Lr44 are genetically independent. Comparisons of markers linked to LrARK12c and Lr46 indicate that Lr46 should be well distal to the centromere. Lr33 is not effective in the seedling stage with Australian Pt pathotypes, therefore question of possible allelism of LrARK12c and Lr33 cannot be resolved using Australian Pt pathotypes. Genetic studies, chromosome mapping and allelism tests indicated that LrARK12c is a new and genetically independent leaf rust resistance locus, and hence it was designated Lr71 in accordance with the rules of wheat gene nomenclature.     

Identification of a molecular marker linked to an Agropyron elongatum-derived gene Lr19 for leaf rust resistance in wheat

The leaf rust resistance gene Lr19, transferred from Agropyron elongatum into wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) imparts resistance to all pathotypes of leaf rust (Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici) in South‐east Asia. A segregating F₂ population from a cross between the leaf rust resistant parent ‘HW 2046’ carrying Lr19 and a susceptible parent ‘Agra Local’ was screened in the phytotron against a virulent pathotype 77‐5 of leaf rust with the objective of identifying the molecular markers linked to Lr19. The gene was first tagged with a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker S73₇₂₈. The RAPD marker linked to the gene Lr19 which mapped at 6.4 ± 0.035 cM distance, was converted to a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker. The SCAR marker (SCS73₇₁₉) was specific to Lr19 and was not amplified in the near‐isogenic lines (NILs) carrying other equally effective alien genes Lr9, Lr28 and Lr32 enabling breeders to pyramid Lr19 with these genes.     

Molecular mapping of Aegilops speltoides derived leaf rust resistance gene Lr28 in wheat

In a segregating homozygous F₂ population of bread wheat involving a leaf rust resistance gene Lr28 derived from Aegilops speltoides, six randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, three each in coupling and repulsion phase were identified as linked to Lr28, mapped to a region spanning 32 cM including the locus. The F₂ and F₃ populations were studied in the phytotron challenged with the most virulent pathotype 77-5 of leaf rust. A coupling phase linked RAPD marker S464₇₂₁ and a repulsion phase linked RAPD marker S326₅₅₀ flanked the gene Lr28 by a distance of 2.4± 0.016 cM on either side. The flanking markers genetically worked as co-dominant markers when analyzed together after separate amplification in the F₂ population by distinguishing the homozygotes from the heterozygotes and increased the efficiency of marker assisted selection by reducing the false positives and negatives. One of the three RAPD markers, S421₆₄₀ was converted to locus specific SCAR marker SCS421₆₄₀ which was further truncated by designing primers internal from both ends of the original RAPD amplicon to eliminate a non-specific amplification of nearly same size. The truncated polymorphic sequence characterized amplified region marker (TPSCAR) SCS421₅₇₀ was 70 bp smaller, but resulted in a single band polymorphism specific to Lr28 resistance. The TPSCAR marker was validated for its specificity to the gene Lr28 in nine different genetic backgrounds and on 43 of the 50 Lr genes of both native and alien origin, suggesting the utility of the SCAR markers in pyramiding leaf rust resistance genes in wheat.     

Microsatellite marker for yellow rust resistance gene Yr5 in wheat introgressed from spelt wheat

Yellow rust of wheat caused by Puccinia striiformis f sp. tritici has been periodically epidemic and severely damaged wheat production in China and throughout the world. Breeding for resistant cultivars has been proved to be an effective way to resolve the problem. A yellow rust resistance gene, Yr5, derived from Triticum spelta shows immunity or high resistance to the most popular isolates Tiaozhong 30 and 31 in China. Establishment of DNA markers for the Yr5 gene will facilitate marker‐assisted selection and gene pyramiding in the breeding programme. Since the Yr5 gene was cytologically located on the long arm of chromosome 2B, By33, the donor of Yr5, was crossed and backcrossed with the susceptible line 441, and BC₃F₂ and BC₃F₃ segregating populations were screened for polymorphism by using 11 microsatellite primers mapped on chromosome 2B. A marker, Xgwm501‐195 bp/160 bp, was found to be linked to Yr5, with a genetic distance of 10.5‐13.3 cM.     

Identification and molecular tagging of a stripe rust resistance gene in wheat line P81

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (PST), is one of the most devastating diseases in common wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). With the objective of identifying and tagging a new gene for resistance to stripe rust in wheat line P81, F₁, F₂ and F_2:3 populations from the cross 'Chuanmai 28'/P81 were inoculated with Chinese PST race CYR32 in greenhouse and field trials. P81 carried a single dominant gene for resistance (designated YrP81 ) to CYR32. Tests of allelism showed that YrP81 was different from Yr5 , Yr10 , Yr15 and Yr26 . Simple sequence repeat (SSR) and resistance gene-analogue polymorphism (RGAP) between the parents were used for genotyping the F₂ populations. YrP81 was closely linked to four SSR loci on chromosome 2BS with genetic distances of 18.3 cM ( Xwmc25 ), 1.8 cM ( Xgwm429 ), 4.1 cM ( Xwmc770 ) and 5.3 cM ( Xgwm148 ). Two RGAP markers RGA1 (NLRR/XLRR) and RGA2 (Pto kin4/NLRR-INV2) were also closely linked to YrP81 with genetic distances of 4.7 and 6.3 cM, respectively. The linkage map of YrP81 and molecular markers was established in the order Xwmc25 - RGA2 - RGA1 - Xgwm429 - YrP81 - Xwmc770 - Xgwm148 . Pedigree analysis, response patterns with Chinese PST races and associations with markers suggested that YrP81 is a novel stripe rust resistance gene. The PCR-based microsatellite and RGAP markers identified here could be applied in selection of YrP81 in wheat breeding.     

Molecular mapping of a stripe rust resistance gene in wheat cultivar Wuhan 2

Stripe rust (or yellow rust), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat worldwide. Growing resistant cultivars is the best approach to control the disease. To identify and map genes for stripe rust resistance in wheat cultivar ‘Wuhan 2', an F₂ population was developed from a cross between the cultivar and susceptible cultivar Mingxian 169. The parents, 179 F₂ plants and their derived F_2:3 lines were evaluated for responses to Chinese races CYR30 and CYR31 of the pathogen in a greenhouse. A recessive gene for resistance was identified. DNA bulked segregant analysis was applied and resistance gene analog polymorphism (RGAP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) techniques were used to identify molecular markers linked to the resistance gene. A genetic map consisting of five RGAP and six SSR markers was constructed. The recessive gene, designated Yrwh2, was located on the short arm of chromosome 3B and flanked by SSR markers Xwmc540 and Xgwm566 at 5.9 and 10.0 cM, respectively. The chromosomal location of the resistance gene and its close marker suggest that the locus is different from previously reported stripe rust resistance genes Yr30, QYr.ucw-3BS, Yrns-B1, YrRub and QYrex.wgp-3BL previously mapped to chromosome 3B. Yrwh2 and its closely linked markers are potentially useful for developing stripe rust resistance wheat cultivars if used in combination with other genes.     

Identification of microsatellite markers for a leaf rust resistance gene introgressed into common wheat from Triticum timopheevii

The tetraploid wheat Triticum timopheevii Zhuk (A^tA^tGG) is known as a source of genes determining resistance to many diseases. An introgressive line 842, with durable resistance to leaf rust was established by crossing T. aestivum cv. ‘Saratovskaya29’ with T. timopheevii ssp. viticulosum and used for mapping leaf rust resistance genes. Molecular analysis of the line 842 with polymorphic microsatellite markers detected introgressions of T. timopheevii into the homoeologous group 2 chromosomes of common wheat. Transloca‐tion breakpoints of introgressed fragments were localized between the markers Xgwm95 and Xgwm817 on chromosome 2A, as well as Xgwm1128 and Xgwm1067 on chromosome 2B. Linkage analysis demonstrated the association of disease resistance at the seedling stage with chromosome 2A. The gene was found to be linked with marker Xgwm817 at a genetic distance of 1.5 cM. The alien leaf rust resistance gene was temporarily designated as lrTt1.     

Identification and cataloguing of genetic information for resistance to wheat leaf rust

Summary Specific host-pathogen relationship is used to derive genetic information for resistance in commercial cultivars. Twenty-two cultivars were classified into 12 groups based on their reactions to 13 leaf rust (Puccinia recondita) races of India. The cultivars in each group were matched with the Lr gene carrying lines to see which genes they might possess. Confirmation of this information was sought through pedigree analyses.(1) Agra local and NP4 do not seem to have any resistance genes. (2) C306 has gene Lr14a, and NP824 one of the genes Lr12, Lr13, Lr14a or Lr22. (3) kalyansona carries Lr13 and another additional gene not in study. (4) Chhoti Lerma, NP852, Pusa Lerma, Sharbati Sonora, Shera, UP301 form one group and carry Lr1. (5) Sonalika seems to have Lr2a, Lr11 and additional genes. (6) Hy.65 has Lr10. (7) HS1076-2 and HW135 have the genes Lr2a and Lr3do. (8) HW124 carries the genes Lr1 and Lr3do. (9) Safed Lerma has Lr1 and Lr17. (10) NP846 has the genes Lr1 and Lr15. (11) HB117-107, Janak, UP215 form one group and possess the genes Lr3do and Lr15. (12) Girija possesses the genes Lr10 and Lr15.Based on such grouping of commercial cultivars for resistance genes a Catalogue system is advocated for the design of wheat breeding programmes like the development of multiline and multigene cultivars.     

Resistance in spelt wheat to yellow rust

Summary Seven spelt wheat accessions of different origin were hybridized with the susceptible bread wheat cultivar Taichung 29 in order to study the genetics of their resistance to yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici). One Iranian and five European accessions were found to carry Yr5 of Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta var. album, whereas a factor for resistance in the Iranian accession 415 was confirmed to be genetically distinct from Yr5. The alleles for resistance in each of the accessions studied showed a monogenic dominant mode of inheritance. Twenty-eight spelt wheat accessions, including those studied for their resistance to yellow rust, were subjected to polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis to study variation for gliadin storage protein patterns. Thirteen distinct patterns were revealed, implying the presence of duplicates within the studied spelt wheat collection.     

Molecular mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene Rph7 in barley

Leaf rust of barley, caused by Puccinia hordei Otth, is an important foliar disease in most temperate regions of the world. Sixteen major leaf rust resistance (Rph) genes have been described from barley, but only a few have been mapped. The leaf rust resistance gene Rph7 was first described from the cultivar ‘Cebada Capa’ and has proven effective in Europe. Previously mapped restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers have been used to determine the precise location of this gene in the barley genome. From the genetic analysis of a ‘Bow‐man’/‘Cebada Capa’ cross, Rph7 was mapped to the end of chromosome 3HS, 1.3 recombination units distal to the RFLP marker cMWG691. A codominant cleaved amplified polymorphic site (CAPS) marker was developed by exploiting allele‐specific sequence information of the cMWG691 site and adjacent fragments of genomic DNA. Based on the large amount of polymorphism present in this region, the CAPS marker may be useful for the marker‐assisted selection of Rph7 in most diverse genetic backgrounds.     

Enhanced leaf rust resistance in wheat conditioned by resistance gene pairs with Lr13

Summary Leaf rust resistance gene Lr13 is present in many North American hard red spring wheat cultivars that have shown durable resistance to leaf rust. Fifteen pair-wise combinations of Lr13 and seedling leaf rust resistance genes were developed by intercrossing near isogenic Thatcher lines. In both seedling and adult plant tests, homozygous paired combinations of specific resistance genes with Lr13 had enhanced resistance relative to either parent to rust isolates that had intermediate avirulent infection types to the additional genes. In field tests, homozygous lines were more resistant than either parent if the additional leaf rust gene conditioned an effective level of resistance when present singly.     

Partial resistance to wheat leaf rust in 18 spring wheat cultivars

Summary Eighteen spring wheat cultivars were tested in microfields and race nurseries for their partial resistance PR to wheat leaf rust under low and high disease pressure respectively. Large differences existed between the 18 cultivars, Skalavatis 56 being the most susceptible and Ponta Grossa 1 being the most resistant cultivar. Of the three epidemic parameters, disease severity (DS) at the time that the susceptible check was severely diseased and area under the transformed disease severity curve (AUTC) and the logistic growth rate (r), AUTC and DS were highly correlated. Both seemed to be reliable estimators of PR but DS should be preferred for economical reasons. The logistic growth rate seemed to be unsuitable as an estimator of partial resistance.High and low disease pressure gave similar cultivar ranking. PR can be screened and selected equally well in race nurseries with low space, low time and low cost input as in microfields with high space, time and cost input.Cultivar differences in development rate had a large impact on the cultivar differences for amount of disease and can therefore greatly bias the estimation of cultivar resistance. The resistance of early cultivars tended to be underestimated whereas the resistance of late cultivars tended to be overestimated. The effect of differences in developmental rate was most pronounced in the flag leaf. It is advisable to avoid the assessment of disease levels on the flag leaf only and to incorporate in the tests several susceptible and resistant checks that cover the range of development rates in the material to be selected, because otherwise selection for resistance will tend to select also for lateness.Regression of the epidemiological parameters on three components of partial resistance revealed that latency period (LP) is an important factor in determining the resistance observed in the field explaining on average 67% of the observed variation. Adding infection frequency (IF) and urediosorus size (US) to the linear model increased the proportion of the observed variation in the field explained by the components to 80%. This result supports the idea that the components of PR inherit independently, at least, in part.     

Environmental stability of partial resistance in spring wheat to wheat leaf rust

Summary Five spring wheat cultivars differing in partial resistance (PR) to wheat leaf rust were tested at Wageningen (the Netherlands) on a sandy and a clay site, El Batan (CIMMYT, Mexico) and Ponta Grossa (Brazil) over two years. The cultivars were Skalavatis 56, Little Club (both very susceptible), Westphal 12A, Akabozu and BH 1146 (all three with high levels of PR). The results showed that PR was expressed at all four locations in both years. The level of expression was influenced by the environment but the cultivar ranking was hardly affected. Selection for PR in the field can therefore be carried out over a wide range of environments.     

The inheritance of stem rust and leaf rust resistance in some Ethiopian wheat collections

Summary Common and durum wheat populations obtained from Sweden and originally collected in Ethiopia were screened for resistance to steum rust and leaf rust. Resistant selections of common wheat were crossed and backcrossed with either stem rust susceptible RL6071, or leaf rust susceptible Thatcher. Genetic studies, based largely on tests of backcross F₂ families, showed that four of the selections had in common a recessive gene SrA. Plants with this gene were resistant (1⁺ infection type) to all stem rust races tested. This gene was neither Sr26 nor Sr29. The resistance of other selections, based on tests with an array of rust isolates, was due to various combinations of Sr6, 8a, 9a, 9d, 9c, 11, 13, 30, and 36. One of the selections had linked genes, Lr19/Sr25. Another selection had a dominant gene for resistance (;1 infection type) to all the races of leaf rust. With the possible exception of this gene for leaf rust resistance and SrA, no obviously new resistance was found.