Improving wheat stripe rust resistance in Central Asia and the Caucasus

Wheat is the most important cereal in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia). Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is considered the most important disease of wheat in Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC). Although stripe rust has been present in the region for a long time, it has become a serious constraint to wheat production in the past 10 years. This is reflected by the occurrence of five epidemics of stripe rust in the CAC region since 1999, the most recent in 2010. Several wheat varieties occupying substantial areas are either susceptible to stripe rust or possess a low level of resistance. Information on the stripe rust pathogen in terms of prevalent races and epidemiology is not readily available. Furthermore, there is an insufficient understanding of effective stripe rust resistance genes in the region, and little is known about the resistance genes present in the commercial varieties and advanced breeding lines. The deployment of resistant varieties is further complicated by putative changes in virulence in the pathogen population in different parts of the CAC. Twenty four out of 49 improved wheat lines received through international nurseries or other exchange programs showed high levels of resistance to stripe rust to local pathogen populations in 2009. Fifteen of the 24 stripe rust resistant lines also possessed resistance to powdery mildew. It is anticipated that this germplasm will play an important role in developing stripe rust resistant wheat varieties either through direct adoption or using them as parents in breeding programs.     

Role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Berberis</Emphasis> spp. as alternate hosts in generating new races of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia graminis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. striiformis</Emphasis>

The common barberry and several other Berberis spp. serve as the alternate hosts to two important rust pathogens of small grains and grasses, Puccinia graminis and P. striiformis. Barberry eradication has been practiced for centuries as a means to control stem rust. Diverse virulence variations have been observed in populations of P. graminis f. sp. tritici that were associated with susceptible barberries in North America. Barberry likely has played a role in generating new races of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici in some regions in the world. Several North American stem rust races, namely races 56, 15B and QCC, initially originated from barberry, were subsequently responsible for generating large-scale epidemics. Thus, sexual cycles on Berberis spp. may generate virulence combinations that could have serious consequences to cereal crop production.     

Identification and mapping of adult‐plant stripe rust resistance in soft red winter wheat cultivar ‘USG 3555’

Little is known about the extent or diversity of resistance in soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to stripe rust, caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici. The soft red winter (SRW) wheat cultivar ‘USG 3555’ has effective adult‐plant resistance to stripe rust, which was characterized in a population derived from ‘USG 3555’/‘Neuse’. The mapping population consisted of 99 recombinant inbred lines, which were evaluated for stripe rust infection type (IT) and severity to race PST‐100 in field trials in North Carolina in 2010 and 2011. Genome‐wide molecular‐marker screenings with 119 simple sequence repeats and 560 Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers were employed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for stripe rust resistance. QTL on chromosomes 1AS, 4BL and 7D of ‘USG 3555’ explained 12.8, 73.0 and 13.6% of the variation in stripe rust IT, and 13.5, 72.3 and 10.5% of the variation in stripe rust severity, respectively. Use of these and additional diagnostic markers for these QTL will facilitate the introgression of this source of stripe rust resistance into SRW wheat lines via marker‐assisted selection.     

Identification and chromosomal locations of novel genes for resistance to powdery mildew and stripe rust in a wheat line 101-3

Wheat powdery mildew and stripe rust, caused by Blumeria graminis f.sp.tritici (syn. Erysiphe graminis f.sp.tritici) and Puccinia striiformis Westend., respectively, are two important fungal diseases of wheat in many regions in the world that cause significant annual yield losses. In the present study, a dominant powdery mildew and a dominant stripe rust resistance gene in wheat line 101-3 which derived from the progenies of the wide cross between common wheat and Dasypyrum villosum Candary L., was located on chromosome 6B and 1B, respectively, by monosomic analyses. The two genes are different from known resistance genes on chromosome 6B for powdery mildew and 1B for stripe rusts, suggesting that the two genes might be novel resistance genes for powdery mildew and stripe rust, respectively. It is uncertain whether the two genes are allelic or lined with other resistance genes located on chromosome 6B for powdery mildew and 1B for stripe rust. Further allelism tests are necessary to determine the relationships between the resistance gene and other genes located on chromosome 6B for powdery mildew and 1B for stripe rust through molecular markers.     

Evaluation of seedling and adult plant resistance in European wheat cultivars to Australian isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia striiformis</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tritici</Emphasis>

A set of 105 European wheat cultivars was assessed for seedling resistance and adult plant resistance (APR) to stripe (yellow) rust in greenhouse and field tests with selected Australian isolates of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). Twelve cultivars were susceptible to all pathotypes, and among the remainder, 11 designated seedling genes (Yr1, Yr3, Yr4, Yr6, Yr7, Yr9, Yr17, Yr27, Yr32, YrHVII and YrSP) and a range of unidentified seedling resistances were detected either singly or in combination. The identity of seedling resistance in 43 cultivars could not be determined with the available Pst pathotypes, and it is considered possible that at least some of these may carry uncharacterised seedling resistance genes. The gene Yr9 occurred with the highest frequency, present in 19 cultivars (18%), followed by Yr17, present in 10 cultivars (10%). Twenty four cultivars lacked seedling resistance that was effective against the pathotype used in field nurseries, and all but two of these displayed very high levels of APR. While the genetic identity of this APR is currently unknown, it is potentially a very useful source of resistance to Pst. Genetic studies are now needed to characterise this resistance to expedite its use in efforts to breed for resistance to stripe rust. Colin R. Wellings seconded from NSW Department of Primary Industries.     

Inheritance of temperature-sensitive leaf rust resistance and adult plant stripe rust resistance in common wheat cultivar PBW343

Genetic analysis of common wheat cultivar PBW343 confirmed temperature-sensitive leaf rust resistance and adult plant stripe rust resistance. At low temperatures, PBW343 was resistant to P. triticina (Ptr) pathotype (pt.) 121R63-1, and at high temperature it was resistant to Ptr pt. 121R127. The low temperature resistance to pt. 121R63-1 was attributed to interaction between dominant and recessive genes. The dominant gene involved in low-temperature resistance to pt. 121R63-1 also conferred resistance to pt. 45R35. The high-temperature resistance to Ptr pt. 121R127 was governed by a different single partially dominant gene. Agra Local (a commonly used susceptible check) and IWP94 (a leaf rust differential used in India) are also resistant to pt. 121R127 at high temperatures. An allelism test indicated that PBW343 and IWP94 possessed a common gene for high temperature resistance to this pathotype. The adult plant stripe rust resistance against P. striiformis (Pst) was possibly conferred by one gene in addition to Yr27.     

Quantitative trait loci for temperature-sensitive resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia striiformis</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tritici</Emphasis> in wheat cultivar Flinor

Stripe (yellow) rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Eriks. (Pst), is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) globally. Use of host resistance is an important strategy to manage the disease. The cultivar Flinor has temperature-sensitive resistance to stripe rust. To map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for these temperature-sensitive resistances, Flinor was crossed with susceptible cultivar Ming Xian 169. The seedlings of the parents, and F₁, F₃ progeny were screened against Chinese yellow rust race CYR32 in controlled-temperature growth chambers under different temperature regimes. Genetic analysis confirmed two genes for temperature-sensitive stripe rust resistance. A linkage map of SSR markers was constructed using 130 F₃ families derived from the cross. Two temperature-sensitive resistance QTLs were detected on chromosome 5B, designated QYr-tem-5B.1 and QYr-tem-5B.2, respectively, and are separated by a genetic distance of over 50 cM. The loci contributed 33.12 and 37.33% of the total phenotypic variation for infection type, respectively, and up to 70.45% collectively. Favorable alleles of these two QTLs came from Flinor. These two QTLs are temperature-sensitive resistance loci and different from previously reported QTLs for resistance to stripe rust.     

Genetic protection of wheat from rusts and development of resistant varieties in Russia and Ukraine

Leaf rust represents the major threat to wheat production in Russia and Ukraine. It has been present for many years and epidemics of the pathogen occur in different regions on both winter and spring wheat. In some regions there is evidence of more frequent epidemics, probably due to higher precipitation as a result of climate change. There is evidence that the virulence of the leaf rust population in Ukraine and European Russia and on winter wheat and spring wheat is similar. The pathogen population structure in Western Siberia is also similar to the European part, although there are some significant differences based on the genes employed in different regions. Ukrainian wheat breeders mostly rely on major resistance genes from wide crosses and have succeeded in developing resistant varieties. The North Caucasus winter wheat breeding programs apply the strategy of deploying varieties with different types of resistance and genes. This approach resulted in decreased leaf rust incidence in the region. Genes Lr23 and Lr19 deployed in spring wheat in the Volga region were rapidly overcome by the pathogen. There are continuing efforts to incorporate resistance from wild species. The first spring wheat leaf rust resistant varieties released in Western Siberia possessed gene LrTR which protected the crop for 10–15 years, but was eventually broken in 2007. Slow rusting is being utilized in several breeding programs in Russia and Ukraine, but has not become a major strategy.     

Stripe rust resistance and genes in Chinese wheat cultivars and breeding lines

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most important diseases on wheat in China. To assess resistance in wheat cultivars and breeding lines in China, 330 leading cultivars and 164 advanced breeding lines were evaluated with stripe rust. In the greenhouse tests, seedlings of the entries were inoculated separately with several Pst pathotypes. In the field tests, the entries were evaluated for stripe rust resistance in Yangling, Shaanxi Province artificially inoculated and in Tianshui, Gansu Province under natural infection of Pst. The oversummering/wintering and spring epidemic zones of resistance genes were postulated using molecular markers for Yr5, Yr9, Yr10, Yr15, Yr17, Yr18, and Yr26, in combination with resistance spectra. Out of the 494 wheat entries, 16 (3.24 %) entries had all-stage resistance (ASR) in all race tests, 99 (20.04 %) had adult-plant resistance (APR), 28 (5.67 %) were considered to have slow-rusting (SR), and 351 (71.05 %) were susceptible to one or more races in both seedling and adult-plant stages. Advanced breeding lines had a higher percentage (37.2 %) of resistant entries (The sum of ASR, APR and SR) than leading cultivars (24.85 %). Among the epidemic regions, southern Gansu had a higher percentage of resistant entries than any other regions. Based on stripe rust reactions and molecular markers, two cultivars were found to possibly have Yr5 while no entries have Yr10 or Yr15. Resistance genes Yr9, Yr17, Yr18, and Yr26 were found in 134 (29.4 %), 45 (9.1 %), 10 (2 %), and 15 (3 %) entries, respectively.     

Detection of molecular markers linked to the durable adult plant stripe rust resistance gene Yr18 in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Stripe rust of wheat caused by Puccinia striiformis West. f. sp. tritici presents a serious problem for wheat production worldwide, and identification and deployment of resistance sources to it are key objectives for many wheat breeders. Here we report the detection of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to the durable adult plant resistance of cv. ‘Otane’, which has conferred this resistance since its release in New Zealand in 1984. A double haploid population from a cross between ‘Otane’ and the susceptible cv. Tiritea’ was visually assessed for adult plant infection types (IT) in the glasshouse and field, and for final disease severity in the field against stripe rust pathotype 106E139A⁺. At least three resistance loci controlled adult plant resistance to stripe rust in this population. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping results revealed that two of these, one on chromosome 7DS corresponds to the durable adult plant resistance gene Yr18 and other on chromosome 5DL were contributed from ‘Otane’; while the remaining one on chromosome 7BL, was contributed from the susceptible ‘Tiritea’. Interval mapping placed the ‘Otane’‐resistant segment near the centromere of chromosome 7DS at a distance of 7 cM from the SSR marker gwm44. The stability of QTL in the two environments is discussed. SSR gwm44 is potentially a candidate marker for identifying the durable resistance gene Yr18 in breeding programmes.     

Global status of wheat leaf rust caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia triticina</Emphasis>

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina is the most common and widely distributed of the three wheat rusts. Losses from leaf rust are usually less damaging than those from stem rust and stripe rust, but leaf rust causes greater annual losses due to its more frequent and widespread occurrence. Yield losses from leaf rust are mostly due to reductions in kernel weight. Many laboratories worldwide conduct leaf rust surveys and virulence analyses. Most currently important races (pathotypes) have either evolved through mutations in existing populations or migrated from other, often unknown, areas. Several leaf rust resistance genes are cataloged, and high levels of slow rusting adult plant resistance are available in high yielding CIMMYT wheats. This paper summarizes the importance of leaf rust in the main wheat production areas as reflected by yield losses, the complexity of virulence variation in pathogen populations, the role cultivars with race-specific resistance play in pathogen evolution, and the control measures currently practiced in various regions of the world.     

Molecular tagging of a stripe rust resistance gene in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops tauschii</Emphasis>

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (PST), is one of the most important diseases of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). China has the largest stripe rust epidemic areas in the world and yield losses can be large. Aegilops tauschii Coss, the D-genome progenitor of common wheat, includes two subspecies, tauschii and strangulata (Eig) Tzvel. The ssp. strangulata accession AS2388 is highly resistant to the prevailing physiological races of PST in China, and possesses a single dominant gene for stripe rust resistance. In order to tag this gene, AS2388 was crossed with the highly susceptible ssp. tauschii accession AS87. The parents, F₂ plants, and F_2:3 families were tested at adult plant stage in field trials with six currently prevailing races. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were used to identify molecular markers linked to the resistance gene. SSR markers Xwmc285 and Xwmc617 were linked to the resistance gene on chromosome arm 4DS flanking it at 1.7 and 34.6 cM, respectively. Based on the chromosomal location, this gene temporarily designated as YrAS2388 is probably novel. The resistance in Ae. tauschii AS2388 was partially expressed in two newly developed synthetic hexaploid backgrounds.     

Adaptation of wheat rusts to the wheat cultivars in former Czechoslovakia

Summary In former Czechoslovakia virulence of rusts attacking wheat was studied since the sixties. Since the same time genes for resistance in the registered cultivars were identified. The role of Berberis and Thalictrum as alternate hosts for stem rust and leaf rust, respectively, was investigated as well. Determined changes of virulence in rust populations could only partially be ascribed to changes of resistance genes in the grown cultivars. Unnecessary genes for virulence had no negative effect on the fitness of the pathogen. All tested samples of aeciospores from barberries attacked rye, not wheat. None of Thalictrum species occurring in the Czech and Slovak Republics was found to host wheat leaf rust. However, the sexual stage of wheat stem rust and wheat leaf rust could be induced on Berberis vulgaris and Thalictrum speciosissimum, respectively. General epidemiological conclusions are drawn from the results and experience of the last 35 years.     

Monosomic analyses of stripe rust and leaf rust resistance genes in winter wheat varieties Lüquyu and Yantar

Summary A set of 21 monosomics of Novosadska Rana-1 was used to locate the rust resistance genes of Lüqiyu, a stripe rust resistant line developed by BAU and Yantar, a leaf rust resistant wheat introduced from Bulgaria. The resistance of the former to p. striiformis race C25 was conditioned by a dominant gene located on chromosome 2B, whereas that of the latter to P. recondita race CL3 was controlled by two complementary dominant genes located on chromosomes 5A and 1D, respectively. The relationship of the stripe rust resistance gene in Lüqiyu to Yr5, Yr7 or Yr _Suwon' all located on chromosome 2B is unknown. The two complementary leaf rust resistance factors in Yantar appear to be new.     

小麦条锈病区域流行相关性研究初报

小麦条锈病是一种大区流行病害,病菌夏孢子可随气流远程传播,该病的多次流行给中国农业生产造成了严重损失。选择甘肃天水、四川马尔康、陕西汉中、西安、河南郑州,根据各地1988—2000年小麦条锈病病情数据和每年3月1日-5月31日降雨量、相对湿度、最大风向、平均风速、最高气温、最低气温等地面气象观测资料,采用主成分分析和判别分析方法,初步明确了天水的病害发生流行对其他区域的影响,证明了天水小麦条锈病的发生和流行对马尔康和郑州有相当大的影响,而与汉中、西安的相关性不高。研究结果对于探明小麦条锈病大区流行规律,实现对其宏观管理和超长期预测具有一定的意义。     

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.     

QTL mapping of adult‐plant resistance to stripe rust in a ‘Lumai 21 × Jingshuang 16’ wheat population

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is a devastating fungal disease in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Chinese wheat cultivars ‘Lumai 21’ and ‘Jingshuang 16’ show moderate levels of adult‐plant resistance (APR) to stripe rust in the field, and they showed a mean maximum disease severity (MDS) ranging from 24 to 56.7% and 26 to 59%, respectively, across different environments. The aim of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to stripe rust in an F₃ population of 199 lines derived from ‘Lumai 21’ × ‘Jingshuang 16’. The F₃ lines were evaluated for MDS in Qingshui, Gansu province, and Chengdu, Sichuan province, in the 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 cropping seasons. Five QTL for APR were detected on chromosomes 2B (2 QTL), 2DS, 4DL and 5DS based on mean MDS in each environment and averaged values from all three environments. These QTL were designated QYr.caas‐2BS.2, QYr.caas‐2BL.2, QYr.caas‐2DS.2, QYr.caas‐4DL.2 and QYr.caas‐5DS, respectively. QYr.caas‐2DS.2 and QYr.caas‐5DS were detected in all three environments, explaining 2.3–18.2% and 5.1–18.0% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. In addition, QYr.caas‐2BS.2 and QYr.caas‐2BL.2 colocated with QTL for powdery mildew resistance reported in a previous study. These APR genes and their linked molecular markers are potentially useful for improving stripe rust and powdery mildew resistances in wheat breeding.     

Suppression of stripe rust and leaf rust resistances in interspecific crosses of wheat

Stripe rust and leaf rust caused by Puccinia striiformis (Ps) Westend. and P. triticina (Pt) Eriks., respectively, are important foliar diseases of wheat worldwide. Breeding resistant wheat cultivars is the preferred strategy to control these diseases. Genes for resistance when introgressed from alien species or wheats of lower ploidy are frequently diluted effectiveness in the hexaploid wheat background or are completely suppressed. The objective of this study was to examine the expression of wheat stripe rust and leaf rust resistances derived from wild emmer wheat and Aegilops tauschii when combined in synthetic hexaploid lines. Eight amphidiploid wheat lines, synthesized by crossing five tetraploid wheats (AABB), viz. Triticum carthlicum var. darginicum, T. carthlicum var. fuligioscum, T. dicoccoides var. fuligioscum, T. durum with five lines of Ae. tauschii (DD), were evaluated in the seedling stage for resistance to five pathotypes of stripe rust caused by Ps and four pathotypes of leaf rust caused by Pt. Resistance in one or both parents was frequently suppressed in synthetic hexaploid lines, indicating the presence of suppressor genes in both Ae. tauschii and T. carthlicum var. darginicum. Specific suppression of resistance genes in the parental genotypes and to pathotypes of Ps and Pt were also observed. The presence and specificity of the suppressors for rust resistance obtained in this study provides useful knowledge for developing cultivars resistant to both rusts utilizing such genetic stocks in wheat breeding programs.     

利用高空风预测小麦条锈病研究初报

小麦条锈病是一种可通过高空气流传播的病害,给小麦的生产造成了巨大损失。笔者选择甘肃平凉、陕西汉中、河南郑州三地,根据小麦条锈病病情数据、地面温度、湿度、降水量及等压面300hPa、400hPa、500hPa、700hPa、850hPa高空风量数据,利用主成分分析和判别分析方法,分析三地间小麦条锈病发生流行的相关性,探讨了高空风量数据在小麦条锈病的发生程度预测中的作用。结果表明三地间小麦条锈病的发生流行具有较高的相关性,可利用高空风量数据预测三地间小麦条锈病长距离传播,准确率较高,其中500hPa等压面的风量值在预测中的准确率最高,回代准确率为100%,交叉验证准确率均在80%以上,最高可达93.75%。     

More precise map position and origin of a durable non-specific adult plant disease resistance against stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) in wheat

Recently a major gene determining non-specific adult plant disease resistance against stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) designated Yrns-B1 was mapped in wheat Triticum aestivum L. by using a cross between ‘Lgst. 79-74’ (resistant) and ‘Winzi’ (susceptible). Linkage to five Gatersleben wheat microsatellite (GWM) markers was discovered, previously mapped on chromosome arm 3BS. In the present study this map was improved by the incorporation of four additional GWM markers. QTL-analysis revealed high LOD values for the resistance at all nine loci, whereas the largest LOD (20.76) was found for the newly mapped marker Xgwm1329. Microsatellite analysis and resistance tests of a collection of old German/UK wheat varieties, including probable ancestors of ‘Lgst.79-74’ were carried out. A high coincidence of non-specific adult plant disease resistance against stripe rust and the presence of ‘Lgst. 79-74’ allele (117 bp) of the marker Xgwm533 was observed among the varieties tested. Linkage during the inheritance of both the resistance and the 117 bp allele of Xgwm533 was demonstrated. The probable origin of Yrns-B1 is discussed. Carriers of this resistance gene were grown on large areas since more than 100 years. To estimate the capability of Xgwm533 as a diagnostic marker for non-specific adult plant disease resistance against stripe rust, microsatellite analysis and resistance tests of a collection of Russian spring wheat varieties were performed. The 117 bp allele of Xgwm533 was found in about 35% of the Russian cultivars analysed, however, none of them possessed the expected disease resistance. Thus, the utilisation of Xgwm533 as diagnostic marker seems to be restricted to certain genepools.