Effects of growth stage, leaf position and temperature on adult-plant resistance of wheat infected by Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici

Growth stage, leaf position and temperature effects on components of resistance to Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici in wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) were studied. Inoculation of Era, Glenlea, Sinton and RL6044 plants at five growth stages showed that latent period increased and uredinium numbers decreased as each adult-plant-resistant wheat matured. Growth stage had little effect on latent period in the susceptible cultivar Morocco. No significant differences in latent period determined on the flag, flag -1 and flag -2 leaves of the same plant were observed for Era, Glenlea and RL6044. However, leaf age should be considered in assessing adult-plant resistance because the latent period of P. recondita f.sp. tritici in flag leaves of Sinton was shorter than that determined for the flag-1 and flag -2 leaves. Fewer uredinia developed on the flag -2 leaf of Glenlea than on the flag leaf. The latent period of leaf rust in Era, Glenlea, RL6044 and Morocco was significantly longer at 15°C than at 21°C, but temperature did not affect Sinton to the same degree. Uredinium size was a sensitive criterion of adult-plant resistance. Uredinium development in line RL6044 was significantly restricted at 15°C, but uredinia on Era, Glenlea and Sinton at 15°C were as large as those at 21°C. On the susceptible Morocco uredinia were larger at 15°C than at 21°C.