Molecular screening of registered durum wheat (Triticum durum) varieties and landraces to common bunt disease in Türkiye

Abstract

Common bunt caused by the basidiomycetes fungi Tilletia caries and Tilletia foetida is significant wheat disease, particularly following rust (Puccinia spp.) diseases. Seed treatment with fungicides has traditionally been the primary method for disease control. However recently its effectiveness has reduced. Growing resistant plant materials are therefore preferred to management of common bunt disease. In this regard, the current study was conducted to detect common bunt resistance genes (Bt8, Bt10, and Bt11) in a total of 61 registered durum wheat varieties and landraces using molecular techniques. In PCR assay, these plant materials were screened with SSR marker Xgwm114 to identify whether they carried any of the Bt resistance genes. According to the molecular results, most of the tested varieties and landraces were found in the Bt8 resistance gene (15 registered varieties and 5 landraces). Additionally, the results showed that none of the tested varieties and landraces had gene combinations. To sum up, this is the first molecular study to identify common bunt resistance genes in durum wheat varieties and landraces in Türkiye. Furthermore, these findings can be used in breeding programs to management with common bunt disease.