Screening of selected wheat cultivars for leaf rust resistance genes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Genetic resistance is the most economical and efficient way to reduce production losses brought on by diseases. Plant breeders continuously incorporate new, dependable sources into their breeding materials to continue developing disease-resistant genotypes. Fourteen certified wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar (Bahawalpur-2000, NIFA-Bathor08, Fareed-2006, Haider-2002, Imdad-2005, Lasani-2008, Marvi-2000, Moomal-2000, Manther-2003, Pirsabak-2006, Iqbal-2000, Pirsabak-2004, Shahkar-2013, and Wafaq-2002) seeds from the Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and National Agriculture Research Center (NARC) were grown in pots. DNA obtained from fresh leaves of the wheat cultivars were screened for leaf rust resistance genes (i.e. Lr-51, Lr-47, Lr-46, Lr-37, Lr-36, Lr-35, Lr-34, Lr-28, Lr-25, Lr-19, Lr-13, Lr-9, and Lr-1 using PCR. Results showed that the Lr-47 gene was present in nine wheat cultivars, Lr-1 and Lr-28 in eight, Lr-5, Lr-9, and Lr-13 in three, and Lr-19 and Lr-37 in one cultivar. In the selected wheat cultivars, the resistance genes Lr-25, Lr-35, Lr-36, and Lr-46 were not observed. This study suggests cultivating wheat varieties Haider-2002, Iqbal-2000, Lasani-2008, Manther-2003, Pirsbak-2004, Pirsbak-2006, Shahkar-2013, and Wafaq-2002 for high level of resistance to rust and protection against high production losses. In future studies, phenotypic data alongside genotypic screening will improve the assessment of leaf rust resistance in wheat cultivars, leading to a better understanding of their disease resistance profiles.