Identification of genes contributing to adult plant leaf rust resistance in winter wheat in Oklahoma

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study:

Field and greenhouse trials were conducted to test the level of success in transferring adult plant resistance from spring wheat to winter wheat in the breeding program at Oklahoma State University and to determine the potential of using Marker Assisted Selection for incorporating adult plant resistance genes into adapted winter wheat cultivars.

Findings and Conclusions:

The goal of achieving high levels of adult plant leaf rust resistance in winter x spring wheat crosses was achieved by using a systematic selection strategy under a disease favorable environment. Some of the SSR markers, particularly Xgwm295, csLv34, Xwmc405, and Xgwm44 for gene Lr34, showed good correlation with leaf rust resistance. Therefore, these markers can be used as an alternate selection tool. It is important to identify the loci carrying other adult plant resistance genes for leaf rust resistance to ensure their proper use in breeding for durable adult plant resistance to leaf rust. The use of molecular techniques for identification of adult plant resistance genes for leaf rust may eventually facilitate the identification of such genes. However, development of these markers will require very careful phenotypic characterization.