Genetics of resistance to Karnal bunt disease of wheat

Inheritance of resistance to Neovossia indica was studied in a Triticum aestivum line HD 29. To overcome the influence of environment on disease expression, the study was conducted by extensive evaluation of advanced generation (F8) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed by single seed descent from the cross WL 711 (susceptible) × HD 29 (resistant. The results suggested that HD 29 possesses three major genes for resistance to isolated Ni7 and two genes for resistance to isolate Ni8. One of the two genes controlling resistance to Ni8 is common with one of the genes conferring resistance to Ni7. These observations have important implications in breeding for Karnal bunt resistance.