Rust Resistance Genes Research Articles

Using the synthetic form RS5 to obtain new introgressive lines of common wheat.

The use of the gene pool of wild relatives, which have a signif icant reserve of genetic diversity, is of immediate interest for breeding common wheat. The creation and use of synthetic forms as “bridges” is an effective method of transferring valuable genetic material from wild relatives to cultivated wheat. For this purpose, genome addition, genome substitution and recombinant “secondary” synthetic forms have been created in the P.P. Lukyanenko National Center of Grain. The synthetic recombination form RS5 (BBAASDt), in which the third genome consists of chromosomes of Aegilops speltoides (S) and Aegilops tauschii (Dt), was obtained from crossing the synthetic forms Avrodes (BBAASS) and M.it./ Ae. tauschii (BBAADt Dt), in which the D genome from Ae. tauschii was added to the BBAA genomes of the durum wheat cultivar Mutico italicum. Introgression lines resistant to leaf rust, yellow rust and powdery mildew have been obtained from backcrosses with the susceptible common wheat cultivars Krasnodarskaya 99, Rostislav and Zhirovka. Twelve resistant lines that additionally have high technological characteristics of grain and f lour have been selected. The cytological study (С-banding) has revealed chromosomal modif ications in 6 of 8 lines under study. The rearrangements mainly affected the chromosomes of the D genome, 1D, 3D, 4D, 6D and 7D. It was found that in most cases the genetic material from the synthetic form RS5 in the studied lines was represented by substituted chromosomes from Ae. tauschii. In line 5791p17, the substitution of chromosomes 6D from Ae. tauschii and 7D from Ae. speltoides was revealed. Substitutions 4D(4Dt), 6D(6Dt) from Ae. tauschii and 7D(7S) from Ae. speltoides were obtained for the f irst time. Molecular analysis of 12 lines did not reveal effective leaf rust resistance genes, presumably present in synthetic forms of M.it./Ae. tauschii and Avrodes. It is assumed that the lines may carry previously unidentif ied genes for fungal disease resistance, in particular for resistance to leaf rust, from Ae. tauschii and Ae. speltoides

A prebreeding study of introgression spring bread wheat lines carrying combinations of stem rust resistance genes, Sr22+Sr25 and Sr35+Sr25.

The Sr22, Sr35, and Sr25 genes attract the attention of bread wheat breeders with their effectiveness against Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici race Ug99 and its biotypes. The effectiveness and impact of Sr22+Sr25 and Sr35+Sr25 gene combinations on agronomic traits have not yet been studied. In the present article, these traits were studied using the spring bread wheat lines L503/W3534//L503, L503/Sr35//L503/3/L503 carrying the Sr22+Sr25 and Sr35+Sr25 genes during 2016–2020. These lines were assessed for resistance to P. graminis f. sp. tritici under natural epiphytotics and to the Saratov, Lysogorsk and Omsk populations of the pathogen and to the PgtZ1 (TKSTF) and PgtF18.6 fungus isolates in laboratory conditions (TKSTF + Sr33). The presence of the studied Sr-genes was conf irmed by using molecular markers. Prebreeding studies were conducted during 2018–2020 vegetation periods. Under the natural epiphytotics of the pathogen and in the laboratory conditions, the Sr22+Sr25 combination was highly effective, while Sr35+Sr25 was ineffective. For grain yield, the lines with the Sr22+Sr25 and Sr35+Sr25 genes were superior to the recipient cultivar L503 in one year (Sr22+Sr25 in 2019; Sr35+Sr25 in 2018), with a decrease in 2020, but in general there were no differences. For the period 2018–2020, both combinations showed a decrease in 1000 grains weight and an increase in the germination-earing period. The line with Sr22+Sr25 genes showed insignif icant effects on gluten and dough tenacity, but the ratio of dough tenacity to extensibility was higher, and f lour strength, porosity and bread volume were lower; in the line with Sr35+Sr25 genes, the gluten content was lower, but the strength, tenacity of the dough and the ratio of dough tenacity to extensibility were higher, f lour strength and the porosity of the bread were at the recipient level, but the volume of bread was lower.

The gene Sr38 for bread wheat breeding in Western Siberia

Present-day wheat breeding for immunity exploits extensively closely related species from the family Triticeae as gene donors. The 2NS/2AS translocation has been introduced into the genome of the cultivated cereal Triticum aestivum from the wild relative T. ventricosum. It contains the Lr37, Yr17, and Sr38 genes, which support seedling resistance to the pathogens Puccinia triticina Eriks., P. striiformis West. f. sp. tritici, and P. graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn, which cause brown, yellow, and stem rust of wheat, respectively. This translocation is present in the varieties Trident, Madsen, and Rendezvous grown worldwide and in the Russian varieties Morozko, Svarog, Graf, Marquis, and Homer bred in southern regions. However, the Sr38 gene has not yet been introduced into commercial varieties in West Siberia; thus, it remains of practical importance for breeding in areas where populations of P. graminis f. sp. tritici are represented by avirulent clones. The main goal of this work was to analyze the frequency of clones (a)virulent to the Sr38 gene in an extended West Siberian collection of stem rust agent isolates. In 2019–2020, 139 single pustule isolates of P. graminis f. sp. tritici were obtained on seedlings of the standard susceptible cultivar Khakasskaya in an environmentally controlled laboratory (Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS) from samples of urediniospores collected on commercial and experimental bread wheat f ields in the Novosibirsk, Omsk, Altai, and Krasnoyarsk regions. By inoculating test wheat genotypes carrying Sr38 (VPM1 and Trident), variations in the purity of (a)virulent clones were detected in geographical samples of P. graminis f. sp. tritici. In general, clones avirulent to Sr38 constitute 60 % of the West Siberian fungus population, whereas not a single virulent isolate was detected in the Krasnoyarsk collection. The Russian breeding material was screened for sources of the stem rust resistance gene by using molecular markers specif ic to the 2NS/2AS translocation. A collection of hybrid lines and varieties of bread spring wheat adapted to West Siberia (Omsk SAU) was analyzed to identify accessions promising for the region. The presence of the gene was postulated by genotyping with specif ic primers (VENTRIUP-LN2) and phytopathological tests with avirulent clones of the fungus. Dominant Sr38 alleles were identif ied in Lutescens 12-18, Lutescens 81-17, Lutescens 66-16, Erythrospermum 79/07, 9-31, and 8-26. On the grounds of the composition of the West Siberian P. graminis f. sp. tritici population, the Sr38 gene can be considered a candidate for pyramiding genotypes promising for the Novosibirsk, Altai, and Krasnoyarsk regions

Identification of Stripe Rust Resistance Genes in Common Wheat Cultivars and Breeding Lines from Kazakhstan.

Stripe (yellow) rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici (Pst), is a fungal disease that presents one of the most serious threats to the wheat crops, causing severe yield losses worldwide, including Kazakhstan. The objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate a winter wheat collection for stripe rust resistance during an adult plant growth stage, (2) identify the presence of selected Yr genes using linked molecular markers in wheat germplasm, (3) identify potentially useful resistant wheat genotypes among leading cultivars and advanced breeding lines. This study evaluated 70 winter wheat genotypes for stripe rust resistance. According to the field reactions, 42 entries (60%) had R or MR reactions including 27 breeding lines (38.6%) and 15 (21.4%) cultivars. Twenty-eight breeding lines/cultivars (40.0%) were susceptible in both years. According to the average coefficient of infection value (ACI) six genotypes were regarded as possessing high level of adult plant resistance. Cultivars/lines carrying Yr10 alone or in combination with other Yr resistance genes provided resistance to stripe rust. Eleven breeding lines showed <5% disease severity in both years. Linked marker analysis revealed the presence of several gene and gene complexes (Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr17/Lr37/Sr38 and Yr18/Lr34). Among a collection of 70 winter wheat breeding lines and cultivars produced in Kazakhstan three stripe rust resistance genes (Yr10, Yr5 and Yr15) demonstrated high frequency occurrence (31.4%, 14.0% and 7.0%, respectively). The most abundant was gene Yr10 identified in 22 genotypes. It was followed by the Yr5 gene, which conferred resistance in 14 lines (20%) and Yr18 gene-11 lines (15.7%). Yr15 was identified in 7 genotypes. Yr17/Lr37/Sr38 gene complex was found in 2 entries. Among 70 evaluated germplasm sources, 42 disease resistant entries are potentially useful resistant wheat genotypes. These carriers of different Yr genes can be used directly in breeding programs to improve stripe rust resistance of winter wheat. Marker-assisted selection can be efficiently applied to develop wheat cultivars with effective gene combinations that would directly assist in developing durable resistance in Kazakhstan.

Mining Middle Eastern and Central Asian Barley Germplasm to Understand Diversity for Resistance to Puccinia hordei, Causal Agent of Leaf Rust

Vast collections of barley germplasm have been established and conserved in various global gene banks. These collections hold tremendous genetic diversity for resistance genes to Puccinia hordei, a causal agent of barley leaf rust. This study was undertaken to discover, characterize and postulate the known Rph genes (resistance to Puccinia hordei) and identify novel sources of ASR (all-stage resistance) and APR (adult plant resistance) to P. hordei. A core set of 315 barley lines were rust-tested as seedlings for their response to eight Australian pathotypes of P. hordei and genotyped with molecular markers linked to the known characterised ASR and APR genes. These tests led to the postulation of ASR leaf rust resistance genes Rph1, Rph2, Rph3, Rph9.am, Rph12, Rph15, Rph19 and Rph25 singly or in combination. Field tests revealed that the vast majority of lines (84%) carried APR. Genotyping of the APR-carrying lines with markers bPb-0837, Ebmac0603 and sun43-44 identified lines that likely carry the known APR genes Rph20, Rph23 and Rph24 singly or in combination. Thirty-nine per cent of the lines were negative for all the three markers and were thus postulated to carry uncharacterized APR. The sources of resistance identified in this study provide a valuable resource to breeders for further utilization and diversifying the genetic basis of leaf rust resistance in barley.

Discovery and Chromosomal Location a Highly Effective Oat Crown Rust Resistance Gene Pc50-5.

Crown rust, caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae, is one of the most destructive fungal diseases of oat worldwide. Growing disease-resistant oat cultivars is the preferred method of preventing the spread of rust and potential epidemics. The object of the study was Pc50-5, a race-specific seedling crown rust resistant gene, highly effective at all growth stages, selected from the differential line Pc50 (Avena sterilis L. CW 486-1 × Pendek). A comparison of crown rust reaction as well as an allelism test showed the distinctiveness of Pc50-5, whereas the proportions of phenotypes in segregating populations derived from a cross with two crown rust-susceptible Polish oat cultivars, Kasztan × Pc50-5 and Bingo × Pc50-5, confirmed monogenic inheritance of the gene, indicating its usefulness in oat breeding programs. Effective gene introgression depends on reliable gene identification in the early stages of plant development; thus, the aim of the study was to develop molecular markers that are tightly linked to Pc50-5. Segregating populations of Kasztan × Pc50-5 were genotyped using DArTseq technology based on next-generation Illumina short-read sequencing. Markers associated with Pc50-5 were located on chromosome 6A of the current version of the oat reference genome (Avena sativa OT3098 v2, PepsiCo) in the region between 434,234,214 and 440,149,046 bp and subsequently converted to PCR-based SCAR (sequence-characterized amplified region) markers. Furthermore, 5426978_SCAR and 24031809_SCAR co-segregated with the Pc50-5 resistance allele and were mapped to the partial linkage group at 0.6 and 4.0 cM, respectively. The co-dominant 58163643_SCAR marker was the best diagnostic and it was located closest to Pc50-5 at 0.1 cM. The newly discovered, very strong monogenic crown rust resistance may be useful for oat improvement. DArTseq sequences converted into specific PCR markers will be a valuable tool for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.

Mapping and Characterization of a Wheat Stem Rust Resistance Gene in Durum Wheat "Kronos".

Wheat stem (or black) rust is one of the most devastating fungal diseases, threatening global wheat production. Identification, mapping, and deployment of effective resistance genes are critical to addressing this challenge. In this study, we mapped and characterized one stem rust resistance (Sr) gene from the tetraploid durum wheat variety Kronos (temporary designation SrKN). This gene was mapped on the long arm of chromosome 2B and confers resistance to multiple virulent Pgt races, such as TRTTF and BCCBC. Using a large mapping population (3,366 gametes), we mapped SrKN within a 0.29 cM region flanked by the sequenced-based markers pku4856F2R2 and pku4917F3R3, which corresponds to 5.6- and 7.2-Mb regions in the Svevo and Chinese Spring reference genomes, respectively. Both regions include a cluster of nucleotide binding leucine-repeat (NLR) genes that likely includes the candidate gene. An allelism test failed to detect recombination between SrKN and the previously mapped Sr9e gene. This result, together with the similar seedling resistance responses and resistance profiles, suggested that SrKN and Sr9e may represent the same gene. We introgressed SrKN into common wheat and developed completely linked markers to accelerate its deployment in the wheat breeding programs. SrKN can be a valuable component of transgenic cassettes or gene pyramids that includes multiple resistance genes to control this devastating disease.

Novel stripe rust all-stage resistance loci identified in a worldwide collection of durum wheat using genome-wide association mapping.

Durumwheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.)] production is constrained by fungal diseases including stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Erikss. (Pst). Continuous mining of germplasm for the discovery and deployment of stripe rust resistance (Yr) genes is needed to counter the impact of this disease. In this study, we evaluated a worldwide collection of 432 durum wheat accessions to seven U.S. Pst races that carry diverse virulence and avirulence combinations on wheat Yr genes. We found that 47-82% of the durum wheat accessions were susceptible to each of the tested Pst races. A total of 32 accessions were resistant to all seven races. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using over 97,000 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers generated from genotyping-by-sequencingof 364 accessions identified 56 quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with all-stage stripe rust resistance located on all 14 durum wheat chromosomes. Six of these QTL were associated with resistance to 2-4 Pst races, and none were associated with resistance to all seven races. The remaining 50 QTL were race specific. Eighteen of the 56 identified QTL had relatively large effects against at least one of the races. A map-based comparison of the discovered QTL in this study with previously published Yr genes and QTL showed that 29 were previously identified, whereas the remaining 27 QTL appeared to be novel. This study reports effective sources of stripe rust resistance to contemporary races in the United States and shows that this durum wheat collection is abundant in novel resistance loci that can be transferred into adapted durum cultivars.

Genetics of stripe rust resistance in a common wheat landrace Aus27492 and its transfer to modern wheat cultivars

The development of resistant cultivars is a preferred way to manage the wheat rust pathogens. Successful breeding relies on the continuous discovery, characterization and deployment of genetically diverse resistance sources. This investigation covers the identification and characterization of the stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) resistance carried by a pre-Green Revolution wheat genotype, Aus27492, from France and its transfer to modern backgrounds. Genetic analysis of stripe rust resistance using an F3 population derived from the cross of Aus27492 with the susceptible parent ‘Avocet S’ indicated digenic inheritance of all stage resistance. The underlying genes were tentatively named YrAW6 and YrAW7 and these loci were located in the long arms of chromosomes 2B and 5A, respectively, through the Illumina iSelect 90 K Infinium SNP genotyping array-based bulked segregant analysis (BSA). While YrAW7 was shown to be the same as the previously described stripe rust resistance gene Yr34 based on pathotypic specificity, YrAW6 appears to represent a new locus. To take these results from the laboratory to farmers’ fields, derivatives of Aus27492 in the Australian wheat cultivars ‘Emu Rock’, ‘Mace’ and ‘Suntop’ were delivered to Australian wheat-breeding companies for use as donor sources.

Identification and Validation of High LD Hotspot Genomic Regions Harboring Stem Rust Resistant Genes on 1B, 2A (Sr38), and 7B Chromosomes in Wheat.

Stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Eriks. is an important disease of common wheat globally. The production and cultivation of genetically resistant cultivars are one of the most successful and environmentally friendly ways to protect wheat against fungal pathogens. Seedling screening and genome-wide association study (GWAS) were used to determine the genetic diversity of wheat genotypes obtained on stem rust resistance loci. At the seedling stage, the reaction of the common stem rust race QFCSC in Nebraska was measured in a set of 212 genotypes from F3:6 lines. The results indicated that 184 genotypes (86.8%) had different degrees of resistance to this common race. While 28 genotypes (13.2%) were susceptible to stem rust. A set of 11,911 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers was used to perform GWAS which detected 84 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) with SNPs located on chromosomes 1B, 2A, 2B, 7B and an unknown chromosome. Promising high linkage disequilibrium (LD) genomic regions were found in all chromosomes except 2B which suggested they include candidate genes controlling stem rust resistance. Highly significant LD was found among these 59 significant SNPs on chromosome 2A and 12 significant SNPs with an unknown chromosomal position. The LD analysis between SNPs located on 2A and Sr38 gene reveal high significant LD genomic regions which was previously reported. To select the most promising stem rust resistant genotypes, a new approach was suggested based on four criteria including, phenotypic selection, number of resistant allele(s), the genetic distance among the selected parents, and number of the different resistant allele(s) in the candidate crosses. As a result, 23 genotypes were considered as the most suitable parents for crossing to produce highly resistant stem rust genotypes against the QFCSC.

Characterization of the Durum Wheat-Aegilops tauschii 4D(4B) Disomic Substitution Line YL-443 With Superior Characteristics of High Yielding and Stripe Rust Resistance.

Durum wheat is one of the important food and cash crops. The main goals in current breeding programs are improving its low yield potential, kernel characteristics, and lack of resistance or tolerance to some biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, a nascent synthesized hexaploid wheat Lanmai/AT23 is used as the female parent in crosses with its AB genome donor Lanmai. A tetraploid line YL-443 with supernumerary spikelets and high resistance to stripe rust was selected out from the pentaploid F7 progeny. Somatic analysis using multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (mc-FISH) revealed that this line is a disomic substitution line with the 4B chromosome pair of Lanmai replaced by the 4D chromosome pair of Aegilops tauschii AT23. Comparing with Lanmai, YL-443 shows an increase in the number of spikelets and florets per spike by 36.3 and 75.9%, respectively. The stripe rust resistance gene Yr28 carried on the 4D chromosome was fully expressed in the tetraploid background. The present 4D(4B) disomic substitution line YL-443 was distinguished from the previously reported 4D(4B) lines with the 4D chromosomes from Chinese Spring (CS). Our study demonstrated that YL-443 can be used as elite germplasm for durum wheat breeding targeting high yield potential and stripe rust resistance. The Yr28-specific PCR marker and the 4D chromosome-specific KASP markers together with its unique features of pubescent leaf sheath and auricles can be utilized for assisting selection in breeding.

Registration of ‘CP 12‐1753’ sugarcane

Abstract‘CP 12‐1753’ (Reg. no. CV‐203, PI 698657) sugarcane (complex hybrid of Saccharum spp.) cultivar was developed through a cooperative research between USDA‐ARS, the Florida Sugar Cane League, Inc., and the University of Florida. It was derived from a polycross made at Canal Point, FL, on 8 Dec. 2010 between a female parent CP 08‐2409 and several male parents. CP 12‐1753 had 11 harvests in Stage 4: plant cane and first ratoon at four locations and second ratoon at three locations. Harvest data showed that CP 12‐1753 had significantly (P ≤ .05) higher cane yield and economic index than the reference cultivars ‘CL 88‐4730’ and ‘CPCL 97‐2730’, respectively, but had significantly lower cane yield in plant cane and lower economic index than the reference cultivar ‘CP 96‐1252’. Freeze tolerance of CP 12‐1753 was lower than the reference cultivars. CP 12‐1753 possesses Bru1, a major gene for brown rust resistance, and showed resistance to brown rust. At the time of release, it was resistant to orange rust, mosaic, and smut. It was moderately resistant to leaf scald and ratoon stunting disease. Considering the agronomic, yield, and disease traits, CP 12‐1753 was released by the Florida Sugarcane Variety Committee in June 2020 to growers for commercial use on mineral (sand) soils.

Mapping stem rust resistance loci effective in Kenya in Canadian spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines ‘AAC Prevail’ and ‘BW961’

This study was conducted to identify and map stem rust resistance genes in Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat variety ‘AAC Prevail’ and elite line ‘BW961ʹ. A population of 227 doubled haploid lines from ‘AAC Prevail’/‘BW961ʹ and parents were evaluated for their response to stem rust (Puccinia graminis) at Njoro, Kenya, from 2016–2019 and genotyped using a targeted genotyping by sequencing SeqSNP assay. ‘AAC Prevail’ and ‘BW961ʹ were susceptible to race TTKSK in seedling tests in Canada. We identified stable QTL (significant in most environments tested) associated with field stem rust resistance on chromosome arms 2BS and 7AL, and minor QTL on 5AL, 6AS and 7BL. The QTL on 5AL, 7AL and 7BL were contributed by ‘AAC Prevail’, while those on 2BS and 6AS were contributed by ‘BW961ʹ. The QTL on 7AL was detected across all environments and explained 9.5% to 39% of the variation in disease severity (DS) and infection response (IR). The QTL on 2BS was associated with DS in all environments and in three of four environments for IR, and explained 4.8% to 12% of the variation in DS and IR. In two environments, the combination of 2BS and 7AL significantly enhanced field stem rust resistance compared with either QTL singly. Using SNP markers closely linked to the novel QTL on 2BS and 7AL, Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR markers were developed and validated in the population. These results provide breeders with new information and markers to utilize these sources of stem rust resistance.

Leaf tip necrosis and seedling leaf rust resistance conditioned by Lr34 in wheat grown at low temperatures

Wheat leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks., is a common and destructive disease of wheat worldwide. The durable leaf rust-resistance gene Lr34 is typically described as an adult plant resistance gene, which is not expressed at the seedling stage at normal greenhouse temperatures. However, Lr34 is expressed at the seedling stage when plants with Lr34 are grown at low temperatures, i.e. approximately 8°C. Lines and cultivars with Lr34 demonstrate a range of responses from near immunity to intermediate reactions on the primary leaf. The Thatcher-Lr34 near isogenic lines ‘RL6058ʹ (Thatcher*6/PI58548) and ‘RL6091ʹ (Tc*6/Chinese Spring) were resistant to a number of P. triticina virulence phenotypes at the seedling stage when grown under these cool conditions, but were susceptible at typical greenhouse temperatures. A double haploid population from a cross between ‘Thatcher’ and ‘RL6058ʹ, previously genotyped for Lr34, was grown at 8°C and screened for leaf rust response at the seedling stage. The population is segregated by a seedling resistance gene that corresponds to the presence of a resistance allele of Lr34. After extended incubation at cold temperatures, the seedling progeny lines with Lr34 also developed distinct leaf tip necrosis; this phenotype was absent in susceptible plants, similar to their reaction as adult plants. When uninfected plants from this population were grown to the adult plant stage at 10°C, those with the Lr34 resistance allele had extensive leaf necrosis and shrunken, sometimes sterile, spikes.

Quantitative trait loci for yellow rust resistance in spring wheat doubled haploid populations developed from the German Federal ex situ genebank genetic resources.

Novel resistance sources to the pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, which causes yellow rust (stripe rust), a widespread devastating foliar disease in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), are in demand. Here, we tested two doubled haploid (DH) spring wheat populations derived from the genetic resources for resistance to yellow rust in field trials in Germany and Egypt. Additionally, we performed tests for all-stage resistance (seedling resistance). We performed linkage mapping based on 15k Infinium SNP chip genotyping data that resulted in 3,567 and 3,457 polymorphic markers for DH Population 1 (103 genotypes) and DH Population 2 (148 genotypes), respectively. In DH Population 1, we identified a major and consistent quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 1B that explained up to 28 and 39% of the phenotypic variation in the field and seedling tests, respectively. The favorable allele was contributed by the line 'TRI-5645', a landrace from Iran, and is most probably the yellow rust resistance (Yr) gene Yr10. In DH Population 2, the favorable allele of a major QTL on chromosome 6B was contributed by the line 'TRI-5310', representing the variety 'Eureke' from France. This QTL was mainly effective in the German environments and explained up to 36% of the phenotypic variation. In Egypt, however, only a moderate resistance QTL was identified in the field tests and no resistance QTL was observed in the seedling tests. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of genetic resources to identify novel sources of resistance to yellow rust, including the "Warrior" race PstS10.

Marker-Assisted Pyramiding of Multiple Disease Resistance Genes in Coffee Genotypes (Coffea arabica)

The use of resistant cultivars is the most effective strategy for controlling coffee leaf rust caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix. To assist the development of such cultivars, amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) markers linked to two loci of coffee resistance to races I and II as well as pathotype 001 of H. vastatrix were converted to sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) and cleaved amplified polymorphic site (CAPS) markers. In total, 2 SCAR markers and 1 CAPS marker were validated in resistant and susceptible parents as well as in 247 individuals from the F2 population. The efficiency of these markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) was evaluated in F2:3 and backcross (BCrs2) populations genotyped with the developed markers and phenotyped with race II of H. vastatrix. The markers showed 90% efficiency in MAS. Therefore, the developed markers, together with molecular markers associated with other rust resistance genes, were used for F3:4 and BCrs3 coffee selection. The selected plants were analyzed using two markers associated with coffee berry disease (CBD) resistance, aiming for preventive breeding. MAS of F3:4 and BCrs3 individuals with all resistance loci was feasible. Our phenotypic and genotypic approaches are useful for the development of coffee genotypes with multiple genes conferring resistance to coffee leaf rust and CBD.

Morpho-physiological characterization of bread wheat genotypes and their molecular validation for rust resistance genes Sr2, Sr31 and Lr24

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia recondita and stem rust by Puccinia graminis triticii are among the most destructive diseases of wheat worldwide. The selection of genotypes carrying two or more genes using traditional host-parasite interaction is very time consuming and often not possible due to lack of isolates with specific virulence and difficulty of identifying one seedling resistance gene in the presence of another gene. Identification of molecular markers for resistance genes can facilitate selection of gene positive plants at early stage to complete the study in short time and cost effective manner. In current investigation assessment of 51 diverse genotypes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was carried out using 16 morpho-physiological yield attributing traits. Biological yield was found highly correlated and positively significant with grain yield (r = 0.410) and spike length (r = 0.601) at 1% significant level. It was significantly correlated with number of grains per spike (r = 0.333) and canopy temperature (r = 0.325) at 5% significant level. Validation of genes Lr24, Sr31 and Sr2 in these genotypes was done using gene specific Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers. The SSR marker Xgwm533 showed highest genetic diversity (0.6290) and PIC value (0.5542), whereas the SCAR primer SCS30.2 and SCSS26.1 revealed lowest gene diversity (0.1769) and PIC value (0.1612). The major allele frequency for Xgwm533 was observed (0.4706) which is lowest; while primer SCS30.2 and SCSS26.1 showed highest major gene frequency (0.9020).

Molecular Marker Analysis of Stem Rust Resistance Genes in Some Iranian Wheat Genotypes

Molecular Marker Analysis of Stem Rust Resistance Genes in Some Iranian Wheat Genotypes

Virulence Phenotyping of Leaf Rust (Puccinia triticina) Isolates from Southern Pakistan

Collections of Puccinia triticina were made from farmers’ fields of five different agro-ecological locations (Sakrand, Tandojam, Larkana, Sanghar and Badin) of Sindh province, Pakistan from 2015 and 2016, to identify the virulence variation. Single uredinial isolates were investigated for virulence phenotyping on 24 near isogenic (Thatcher wheat) lines which differ for single Lr resistance genes. Spores from two locations (Sakrand and Tandojam) were not viable and could not be revived and only urediniospores of three locations (Larkana, Sanghar and Badin) were revived. None of the pathotypes had virulence to Thatcher wheat lines with leaf rust resistance genes Lr23 and Lr42. However, Lr24, LrB, Lr10, Lr14b and Lr20 genes exhibited susceptibility response i.e. (HITs 3 4) with all tested pathotypes. Based on virulence, ten virulence phenotypes (MSCTNS, RTSTNS, RKTRGS, PNDQDS, JDBQGJ, MDPSDS, RTPTPS, MNPSDS, MJLTGS and MSPTDS) were identified among the ten isolates, designated with six-letter code. Two phenotypes RTSTNS RTPTPS exhibited broad spectrum, both were virulent to nineteen resistance genes of leaf rust while pathotype JDBQGJ had narrow spectrum as compared to all other tested, with virulence to just eight resistance genes of leaf rust. Among the locations virulence variability of leaf rust was also recorded. Most of identified races were virulent to more than one of leaf rust resistance genes. Resistance genes (Lr42 and Lr23) identified as effective can be exploited to achieve leaf rust resistance in wheat. Further, the study provides virulence profile of the area may help to manage the leaf rust pathogen.

Evolutionary trade-offs at the Arabidopsis WRR4A resistance locus underpin alternate Albugo candida race recognition specificities.

The oomycete Albugo candida causes white rust of Brassicaceae, including vegetable and oilseed crops, and wild relatives such as Arabidopsis thaliana. Novel White Rust Resistance (WRR) genes from Arabidopsis enable new insights into plant/parasite co-evolution. WRR4A from Arabidopsis accession Columbia (Col-0) provides resistance to many but not all white rust races, and encodes a nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat immune receptor. Col-0 WRR4A resistance is broken by AcEx1, an isolate of A. candida. We identified an allele of WRR4A in Arabidopsis accession Øystese-0 (Oy-0) and other accessions that confers full resistance to AcEx1. WRR4AOy-0 carries a C-terminal extension required for recognition of AcEx1, but reduces recognition of several effectors recognized by the WRR4ACol-0 allele. WRR4AOy-0 confers full resistance to AcEx1 when expressed in the oilseed crop Camelina sativa.