Microsatellite mapping of adult-plant leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr22a</Emphasis> in wheat

This study was conducted to identify microsatellite markers (SSR) linked to the adult-plant leaf rust resistance gene Lr22a and examine their cross-applicability for marker-assisted selection in different genetic backgrounds. Lr22a was previously introgressed from Aegilops tauschii Coss. to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and located to chromosome 2DS. Comparing SSR alleles from the donor of Lr22a to two backcross lines and their recurrent parents showed that between two and five SSR markers were co-introgressed with Lr22a and the size range of the Ae. tauschii introgression was 9–20 cM. An F₂ population from the cross of 98B34-T4B × 98B26-N1C01 confirmed linkage between the introgressed markers and Lr22a on chromosome 2DS. The closest marker, GWM296, was 2.9 cM from Lr22a. One hundred and eighteen cultivars and breeding lines of different geographical origins were tested with GWM296. In total 14 alleles were amplified, however, only those lines predicted or known to carry Lr22a had the unique Ae. tauschii allele at GWM296 with fragments of 121 and 131 bp. Thus, GWM296 is useful for selecting Lr22a in diverse genetic backgrounds. Genotypes carrying Lr22a showed strong resistance to leaf rust in the field from 2002 to 2006. Lr22a is an ideal candidate to be included in a stack of leaf rust resistance genes because of its strong adult-plant resistance, low frequency of commercial deployment, and the availability of a unique marker. An erratum to this article can be found at     

The successful application of a marker-assisted wheat breeding strategy

A number of useful marker-trait associations have been reported for wheat. However the number of publications detailing the integrated and pragmatic use of molecular markers in wheat breeding is limited. A previous report by some of these authors showed how marker-assisted selection could increase the genetic gain and economic efficiency of a specific breeding strategy. Here, we present a practical validation of that study. The target of this breeding strategy was to produce wheat lines derived from an elite Australian cultivar ‘Stylet’, with superior dough properties and durable rust resistance donated from ‘Annuello’. Molecular markers were used to screen a BC₁F₁ population produced from a cross between the recurrent parent ‘Stylet’ and the donor parent ‘Annuello’ for the presence of rust resistance genes Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29. Following this, marker-assisted selection was applied to haploid plants, prior to chromosome doubling with cochicine, for the rust resistance genes Lr24/Sr24, Lr34/Yr18, height reducing genes, and for the grain protein genes Glu-D1 and Glu-A3. In general, results from this study agreed with those of the simulation study. Genetic improvement for rust resistance was greatest when marker selection was applied on BC₁F₁ individuals. Introgression of both the Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29 loci into the susceptible recurrent parent background resulted in substantial improvement in leaf rust and stripe rust resistance levels. Selection for favourable glutenin alleles significantly improved dough resistance and dough extensibility. Marker-assisted selection for improved grain yield, through the selection of recurrent parent genome using anonymous markers, only marginally improved grain yield at one of the five sites used for grain yield assessment. In summary, the integration of marker-assisted selection for specific target genes, particularly at the early stages of a breeding programme, is likely to substantially increase genetic improvement in wheat.     

Identification of microsatellite markers linked to leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr25</Emphasis> in wheat

The leaf rust resistance gene Lr25, transferred from Secale cereale L. into wheat and located on chromosome 4B, imparts resistance to all pathotypes of leaf rust in South-East Asia. In an F₂-derived F₃ population, created by crossing TcLr25 that carries the gene Lr25 for leaf rust resistance with leaf rust-susceptible parent Agra Local, three microsatellite markers located on the long arm of chromosome 4B were found to be linked to the Lr25 locus. The donor parent TcLr25 is a near-isogenic line derived from the variety Thatcher. The most virulent pathotype of leaf rust in the South-East Asian region, designated 77–5 (121R63-1), was used for challenging the population under artificially controlled conditions. The marker Xgwm251 behaved as a co-dominant marker placed 3.8 cM away from the Lr25 locus on 4BL. Two null allele markers, Xgwm538 and Xgwm6, in the same linkage group were located at a distance of 3.8 cM and 16.2 cM from the Lr25 locus, respectively. The genetic sequence of Xgwm251, Lr25, Xgwm538, and Xgwm6 covered a total length of 20 cM on 4BL. The markers were validated for their specificity to Lr25 resistance in a set of 43 wheat genetic stocks representing 43 other Lr genes.     

New slow-rusting leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr67</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yr46</Emphasis> in wheat are pleiotropic or closely linked

The common wheat genotype ‘RL6077’ was believed to carry the gene Lr34/Yr18 that confers slow-rusting adult plant resistance (APR) to leaf rust and stripe rust but located to a different chromosome through inter-chromosomal reciprocal translocation. However, haplotyping using the cloned Lr34/Yr18 diagnostic marker and the complete sequencing of the gene indicated Lr34/Yr18 is absent in RL6077. We crossed RL6077 with the susceptible parent ‘Avocet’ and developed F₃, F₄ and F₆ populations from photoperiod-insensitive F₃ lines that were segregating for resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust. The populations were characterized for leaf rust resistance at two Mexican sites, Cd. Obregon during the 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 crop seasons, and El Batan during 2009, and for stripe rust resistance at Toluca, a third Mexican site, during 2009. The F₃ population was also evaluated for stripe rust resistance at Cobbitty, Australia, during 2009. Most lines had correlated responses to leaf rust and stripe rust, indicating that either the same gene, or closely linked genes, confers resistance to both diseases. Molecular mapping using microsatellites led to the identification of five markers (Xgwm165, Xgwm192, Xcfd71, Xbarc98 and Xcfd23) on chromosome 4DL that are associated with this gene(s), with the closest markers being located at 0.4 cM. In a parallel study in Canada using a Thatcher × RL6077 F₃ population, the same leaf rust resistance gene was designated as Lr67 and mapped to the same chromosomal region. The pleiotropic, or closely linked, gene derived from RL6077 that conferred stripe rust resistance in this study was designated as Yr46. The slow-rusting gene(s) Lr67/Yr46 can be utilized in combination with other slow-rusting genes to develop high levels of durable APR to leaf rust and stripe rust in wheat.     

Molecular mapping of leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rph14</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum vulgare</Emphasis>

An incompletely dominant gene conferring resistance to Puccinia hordei, Rph14, identified previously in an accession of Hordeum vulgare, confers resistance to all known pathotypes of P. hordei in Australia. Knowledge of the chromosomal location of Rph14 and the identification of DNA markers closely linked to it will facilitate combining it with other important leaf rust resistance genes to achieve long lasting resistance. The inheritance of Rph14 was confirmed using 146 and 106 F₃ lines derived from the crosses ‘Baudin’/‘PI 584760’ (Rph14) and ‘Ricardo’/‘PI 584760’ (Rph14), respectively. Bulk segregant analysis on DNA from the parental genotypes and resistant and susceptible DNA bulks using DArT markers located Rph14 to the short arm of chromosome 2H. DArT marker bPb-1664 was identified as having the closest genetic association with Rph14. PCR based marker analysis identified a single SSR marker, Bmag692, linked closely to Rph14 at a map distance of 2.1 and 3.8 cm in the ‘Baudin’/‘PI 584760’and ‘Ricardo’/‘PI 584760’ populations, respectively.     

Cytogenetic and molecular mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene Lr39 in wheat

Leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina Eriks,is one of the most serious diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum AABBDD, 2n=6x=42) worldwide. Growing resistant cultivars is an efficient and economical method of reducing losses to leaf rust. Here we report a new leaf rust resistance gene, Lr39, transferred from Aegilops tauschii into common wheat. Lr39 conditions both seedling and adult plant resistance to the leaf rust pathogen. The inter- and intra-chromosomal mapping of the Lr39 gene showed that it is different from all previously described Lr genes. We used monosomic analysis for the inter-chromosomal mapping and wheat microsatellite markers for the intra-chromosomal mapping. The monosomic and ditelosomic analysis indicated that Lr39 is independent of the centromere on the short arm of chromosome 2D. Eight microsatellite markers for 2DS were used for linkage analysis on a population of 57 F₂ plants derived from a cross of an Ae. tauschii-derived wheat, cv. Wichita line TA4186 (possessing Lr39), with Wichita monosomics for the D-genome chromosomes. The microsatellite marker analysis confirmed the location of the gene on 2DS. Three markers were polymorphic and linked to the gene. The closest marker Xgwm210 mapped 10.7 cM from Lr39. The location of Lr39 near the telomere of 2DS distinguishes it from the Lr2 and Lr22 loci, which are located on 2DS proximal to Xgwm210. Received: 19 April 2000 / Accepted: 15 May 2000     

Identification and validation of SSR markers linked to the stem rust resistance gene Sr6 on the short arm of chromosome 2D in wheat

The wheat stem rust resistance gene Sr6, present in several wheat cultivars, confers a high level of resistance against a wide range of races of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici. Resistance conferred by Sr6 is influenced by temperature, light intensity, and genetic background of the recipient genotype. Here, we report the identification and validation of molecular markers linked to Sr6 that can be used for the detection of this gene in wheat breeding programs. A mapping population of 136 F₂ plants and their F_2:3 families derived from a cross between near-isogenic lines, ‘Chinese Spring’ and ISr6-Ra, were screened for stem rust reaction in the seedling stage. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) based on seedling tests was used to screen 418 SSR markers that covered the entire genome of wheat. Four markers, Xwmc453, Xcfd43, Xcfd77, and Xgwm484, were mapped within a chromosome region that spanned 9.7 cM from Sr6. The closest markers, Xwmc453 and Xcfd43, were linked to Sr6 at a distance of 1.1 and 1.5 cM, respectively. The markers Xwmc453 and Xcfd43 amplified Sr6-specific marker alleles that were diagnostic for Sr6 in a diverse set of 46 wheat accessions and breeding lines developed and/or collected in Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, and USA. These markers can now be used for marker-assisted selection of Sr6 and for pyramiding it with other stem rust resistance genes.     

Genetic Linkage Maps of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula platyphylla</Emphasis> Suk Based on ISSR and AFLP Markers

Two separate genetic linkage maps for Chinese silver birch based on inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) were constructed by a pseudo-testcross mapping strategy. Eighty F₁ progenies were obtained from the cross between two parental trees with desirable traits (the paternal one selected from ‘Qinghai’ and the maternal one from ‘Wangqing’). A total of 46 ISSR primers and 31 AFLP primers were employed to generate 102 ISSR and 355 AFLP polymorphic markers in the F₁ progenies. About 5.7% of all the markers displayed high segregation distortion with a P value below 0.01 and such markers were not used for map constructions. The paternal map consisted of 137 loci, spread over 13 groups and spanned 694.2 cM at an average distance of 5.1 cM between the markers, while in the maternal map, 147 loci were distributed in 14 groups covering a map distance about 949.62 cM at an average distance of 6.5 cM. These initial maps can serve as the basis for developing a more detailed genetic map.     

Molecular markers for wheat leaf rust resistance gene Lr41

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks., is an important foliar disease of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Pyramiding several major rust-resistance genes into one adapted cultivar is one strategy for obtaining more durable resistance. Molecular markers linked to these genes are essential tools for gene pyramiding. The rust-resistance gene Lr41 from T. tauschii has been introgressed into chromosome 2D of several wheat cultivars that are currently under commercial production. To discover molecular markers closely linked to Lr41, a set of near-isogenic lines (NILs) of the hard winter wheat cultivar Century were developed through backcrossing. A population of 95 BC₃F_2:6 NILs were evaluated for leaf rust resistance at both seedling and adult plant stages and analyzed with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers using bulked segregant analysis. Four markers closely linked to Lr41 were identified on chromosome 2DS; the closest marker, Xbarc124, was about 1 cM from Lr41. Physical mapping using Chinese Spring nullitetrasomic and ditelosomic genetic stocks confirmed that markers linked to Lr41 were on chromosome arm 2DS. Marker analysis in a diverse set of wheat germplasm indicated that primers BARC124, GWM210, and GDM35 amplified polymorphic bands between most resistant and susceptible accessions and can be used for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.     

Identification and molecular tagging of a gene from PI 289824 conferring resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) in wheat

Host-plant resistance is the most economically viable and environmentally responsible method of control for Puccinia triticina, the causal agent of leaf rust in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The identification and utilization of new resistance sources is critical to the continued development of improved cultivars as shifts in pathogen races cause the effectiveness of widely deployed genes to be short lived. The objectives of this research were to identify and tag new leaf rust resistance genes. Forty landraces from Afghanistan and Iran were obtained from the National Plant Germplasm System and evaluated under field conditions at two locations in Texas. PI 289824, a landrace from Iran, was highly resistant under field infection. Further evaluation revealed that PI 289824 is highly resistant to a broad spectrum of leaf rust races, including the currently prevalent races of leaf rust in the Great Plains area of the USA. Eight F₁ plants, 176 F₂ individuals and 139 F_2:3 families of a cross between PI 289824 and T112 (susceptible) were evaluated for resistance to leaf rust at the seedling stage. Genetic analysis indicated resistance in PI 289824 is controlled by a single dominant gene. The AFLP analyses resulted in the identification of a marker (P39 M48-367) linked to resistance. The diagnostic AFLP band was sequenced and that sequence information was used to develop an STS marker (TXW₂₀₀) linked to the gene at a distance of 2.3 cM. The addition of microsatellite markers allowed the gene to be mapped to the short arm of Chromosome 5B. The only resistance gene to be assigned to Chr 5BS is Lr52. The Lr52 gene was reported to be 16.5 cM distal to Xgwm443 while the gene in PI 289824 mapped 16.7 cM proximal to Xgwm443. Allelism tests are needed to determine the relationship between the gene in PI 289824 and Lr52. If the reported map positions are correct, the gene in PI 289824 is unique.     

Mapping genes Lr53 and Yr35 on the short arm of chromosome 6B of common wheat with microsatellite markers and studies of their association with Lr36

The rust resistance genes Lr53 and Yr35, transferred to common wheat from Triticum dicoccoides, were reported previously to be completely linked on chromosome 6B. Four F ₃ families were produced from a cross between a line carrying Lr53 and Yr35 (98M71) and the leaf rust and stripe rust susceptible genotype Avocet “S” and were rust tested using Puccinina triticina pathotype 53-1,(6),(7),10,11 and Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici pathotype 110 E143 A+. The homozygous resistant lines produced infection types of “;1−” and “;N” to these pathotypes, respectively. The Chi-squared tests indicated goodness-of-fit of the data for one leaf rust gene and one stripe rust gene segregation. Linkage analysis using this population demonstrated recombination of 3% between the genes. Microsatellite markers located on the short arm of chromosome 6B were used to map the genes, with the markers cfd1 and gwm508 being mapped approximately 1.1 and 4.5 cM, respectively, proximal to Lr53. Additional studies of the relationship between Lr36, also located on the short arm of chromosome 6B, and Lr53 indicated that the two genes were independent.     

Identification and validation of molecular markers linked to the leaf rust resistance gene Lr19 in wheat

A leaf rust resistance gene Lr19 on the chromosome 7DL of wheat derived from Agropyron elongatum was tagged with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and microsatellite markers. The F₂ population of 340 plants derived from a cross between the leaf rust resistant near-isogenic line (NIL) of Thatcher (Tc + Lr19) and leaf rust susceptible line Agra Local that segregated for dominant monogenic leaf rust resistance was utilized for generating the mapping population. The molecular markers were mapped in the F₂ derived F₃ homozygous population of 140 seedlings. Sixteen RAPD markers were identified as linked to the alien gene Lr19 among which eight were in a coupling phase linkage. Twelve RAPD markers co-segregated with Lr19 locus. Nine microsatellite markers located on the long arm of chromosome 7D were also mapped as linked to the gene Lr19, including 7 markers which co-segregated with Lr19 locus, thus generating a saturated region carrying 25 molecular markers linked to the gene Lr19 within 10.2 ± 0.062 cM on either side of the locus. Two RAPD markers S265₅₁₂ and S253₇₃₇ which flanked the locus Lr19 were converted to sequence characterized amplified region markers SCS265₅₁₂ and SCS253₇₃₆, respectively. The marker SCS265₅₁₂ was linked with Lr19 in a coupling phase and the marker SCS253₇₃₆ was linked in a repulsion phase, which when used together mimicked one co-dominant marker capable of distinguishing the heterozygous resistant seedlings from the homozygous resistant. The molecular markers were validated on NILs mostly in Thatcher background isogenic for 44 different Lr genes belonging to both native and alien origin. The validation for polymorphism in common leaf rust susceptible cultivars also confirmed the utility of these tightly linked markers to the gene Lr19 in marker-assisted selection.     

Development of simple sequence repeat markers specific for the Lr34 resistance region of wheat using sequence information from rice and Aegilops tauschii

Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) originated about 8,000 years ago from the hybridization of tetraploid wheat with diploid Aegilops tauschii Coss. containing the D-genome. Thus, the bread wheat D-genome is evolutionary young and shows a low degree of polymorphism in the bread wheat gene pool. To increase marker density around the durable leaf rust resistance gene Lr34 located on chromosome 7DS, we used molecular information from the orthologous region in rice. Wheat expressed sequence tags (wESTs) were identified by homology with the rice genes in the interval of interest, but were monomorphic in the ‘Arina’ × ‘Forno’ mapping population. To derive new polymorphic markers, bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones representing a total physical size of ∼1 Mb and belonging to four contigs were isolated from Ae. tauschii by hybridization screening with wheat ESTs. Several BAC clones were low-pass sequenced, resulting in a total of ∼560 kb of sequence. Ten microsatellite sequences were found, and three of them were polymorphic in our population and were genetically mapped close to Lr34. Comparative analysis of marker order revealed a large inversion between the rice genome and the wheat D-genome. The SWM10 microsatellite is closely linked to Lr34 and has the same allele in the three independent sources of Lr34: ‘Frontana’, ‘Chinese Spring’, and ‘Forno’, as well in most of the genotypes containing Lr34. Therefore, SWM10 is a highly useful marker to assist selection for Lr34 in breeding programs worldwide.     

Molecular mapping of leaf rust resistance gene Lr15 in hexaploid wheat

Leaf rust is a widespread and commonly occurring rust disease of wheat. Genetic resistance is the most economical method of reducing losses due to leaf rust. Lr15 has been shown to be present on wheat chromosome 2D and is reported to be a seedling resistance gene. However, tightly linked markers associated with Lr15 have not been reported to date. To identify molecular markers linked to Lr15, an F₂ mapping population of Thatcher × Thatcher-Lr15 was generated. Available wheat simple sequence repeat markers were utilized in parental screening and polymorphic markers were used to analyze the entire population of 221 plants. Phenotypic evaluations of the F₂-derived F₃ progenies with Puccinia triticina Eriks. pathotype 162A (93R15) confirmed the monogenic inheritance of Lr15. The linkage group representing chromosome 2DS was constructed at LOD 4.0 which revealed the closest flanking markers Xgwm4562 and Xgwm102 at a distance of 3.1 and 9.3 cM, respectively. Furthermore, utilization of these flanking markers in combination has successfully identified wheat lines with or without Lr15. These markers could potentially be useful in gene pyramiding with other genes to enhance rust resistance in wheat.     

Molecular mapping of adult-plant race-specific leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr12</Emphasis> in bread wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) gene Lr12 provides adult-plant race-specific resistance to leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina. It is completely linked or identical to Lr31, which confers seedling resistance only when the complementary gene Lr27 is also present. F₂ and F₂-derived F₃ families were developed from a cross between the susceptible variety Thatcher and TcLr12, an isoline carrying Lr12. Of 230 F₃ families, 55 were homozygous resistant, 115 were segregating for resistance, and 60 were susceptible to P. triticina, fitting a monogenic 1:2:1 segregation ratio. Lr12 was mapped on chromosome arm 4BL and was flanked by markers Xgwm251 and Xgwm149 at distances of 0.9 and 1.9 cM, respectively. Using linked markers and wheat deletion stocks, Lr12 was located in deletion bin 4BL-5, FL = 0.86–1.0, comprising the terminal 14% of 4BL. The markers will be useful for following Lr12/Lr31 in crosses and for further mapping studies.     

Genetic analysis of leaf rust resistance genes and associated markers in the durable resistant wheat cultivar Sinvalocho MA

In the cross of the durable leaf rust resistant wheat Sinvalocho MA and the susceptible line Gama6, four specific genes were identified: the seedling resistance gene Lr3, the adult plant resistance (APR) genes LrSV1 and LrSV2 coming from Sinvalocho MA, and the seedling resistance gene LrG6 coming from Gama6. Lr3 was previously mapped on 6BL in the same cross. LrSV1 was mapped on chromosome 2DS where resistance genes Lr22a and Lr22b have been reported. Results from rust reaction have shown that LrSV1 from Sinvalocho is not the same allele as Lr22b and an allelism test with Lr22a showed that they could be alleles or closely linked genes. LrSV1 was mapped in an 8.5-cM interval delimited by markers gwm296 distal and gwm261 proximal. Adult gene LrSV2 was mapped on chromosome 3BS, cosegregating with gwm533 in a 7.2-cM interval encompassed by markers gwm389 and gwm493, where other disease resistance genes are located, such as seedling gene Lr27 for leaf rust, Sr2 for stem rust, QTL Qfhs.ndsu-3BS for resistance to Fusarium gramineum and wheat powdery mildew resistance. The gene LrG6 was mapped on chromosome 2BL, with the closest marker gwm382 at 0.6 cM. Lines carrying LrSV1, LrSV2 and LrG6 tested under field natural infection conditions, showed low disease infection type and severity, suggesting that this kind of resistance can be explained by additive effects of APR and seedling resistance genes. The identification of new sources of resistance from South American land races and old varieties, supported by modern DNA technology, contributes to sustainability of agriculture through plant breeding.     

Microsatellite tagging of the leaf rust resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr16</Emphasis> on wheat chromosome 2BSc

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is one of the most damaging diseases of wheat worldwide. Lr16 is a widely deployed leaf rust resistance gene effective at the seedling stage. Although virulence to Lr16 exists in the Canadian P. triticina population, Lr16 provides a level of partial resistance in the field. The primary objective of this study was to identify markers linked to Lr16 that are suitable for marker-assisted selection (MAS). Lr16 was tagged with microsatellite markers on the distal end of chromosome 2BS in three mapping populations. Seven microsatellite loci mapped within 10 cM of Lr16, with the map distances varying among populations. Xwmc764 was the closest microsatellite locus to Lr16, and mapped 1, 9, and 3 cM away in the RL4452/AC Domain, BW278/AC Foremost, and HY644/McKenzie mapping populations, respectively. Lr16 was the terminal locus mapped in all three populations. Xwmc764, Xgwm210, and Xwmc661 were the most suitable markers for selection of Lr16 because they had simple PCR profiles, numerous alleles, high polymorphism information content (PIC), and were tightly linked to Lr16. Twenty-eight spring wheat lines were evaluated for leaf rust reaction with the P. triticina virulence phenotypes MBDS, MBRJ, and MGBJ, and analyzed with five microsatellite markers tightly linked to Lr16. There was good agreement between leaf rust infection type (IT) data and the microsatellite allele data. Microsatellite markers were useful for postulating Lr16 in wheat lines with multiple leaf rust resistance genes.     

Genetics and mapping of seedling resistance to Ug99 stem rust in Canadian wheat cultivars ‘Peace’ and ‘AC Cadillac’

Stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis Pers.:Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn.) has re-emerged as a threat to wheat production with the evolution of new pathogen races, namely TTKSK (Ug99) and its variants, in Africa. Deployment of resistant wheat cultivars has provided long-term control of stem rust. Identification of new resistance genes will contribute to future cultivars with broad resistance to stem rust. The related Canadian cultivars Peace and AC Cadillac show resistance to Ug99 at the seedling stage and in the field. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the inheritance and genetically map resistance to Ug99 in these two cultivars. Two populations were produced, an F_2:3 population from LMPG/AC Cadillac and a doubled haploid (DH) population from RL6071/Peace. Both populations showed segregation at the seedling stage for a single stem rust resistance (Sr) gene, temporarily named SrCad. SrCad was mapped to chromosome 6DS in both populations with microsatellite markers and a marker (FSD_RSA) that is tightly linked to the common bunt resistance gene Bt10. FSD_RSA was the closest marker to SrCad (≈1.6 cM). Evaluation of the RL6071/Peace DH population and a second DH population, AC Karma/87E03-S2B1, in Kenya showed that the combination of SrCad and leaf rust resistance gene Lr34 provided a high level of resistance to Ug99-type races in the field, whereas in the absence of Lr34 SrCad conferred moderate resistance. A survey confirmed that SrCad is the basis for all of the seedling resistance to Ug99 in Canadian wheat cultivars. While further study is needed to determine the relationship between SrCad and other Sr genes on chromosome 6DS, SrCad represents a valuable genetic resource for producing stem rust resistant wheat cultivars.     

Molecular markers for rust and pyricularia leaf spot disease resistance in pearl millet

 Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] is a warm-season grass used for food, feed, fodder and forage, primarily in countries of Africa and India but grown around the world. The two most-destructive diseases to pearl millet in the United States are rust (caused by Puccinia substriata var. indica) and pyricularia leaf spot (caused by Pyricularia grisea). Genes for disease resistance to both pathogens have been transferred into agronomically acceptable forage and grain cultivars. A study was undertaken to identify molecular markers for three rust loci and one pyricularia resistance locus. Three segregating populations were screened for RAPDs using random decamer primers and for RFLPs using a core set of probes detecting single-copy markers on the pearl millet map. The rust resistance gene Rr ₁ from the pearl millet subspecies P. glaucum ssp. monodii was linked 8.5 cM from the RAPD OP-G8₃₅₀. The linkage of two RFLP markers, Xpsm108 (15.5 cM) and Xpsm174 (17.7 cM), placed the Rr ₁ gene on linkage-group 3 of the pearl millet map. Rust resistance genes from both Tift 89D₂ and ICMP 83506 were placed on linkage-group 4 by determining genetic linkage to the RFLP marker Xpsm716 (4.9 and 0.0 cM, respectively). Resistance in ICMP 83506 was also linked to the RFLP marker Xpsm306 (10.0 cM), while resistance in Tift 89D₂ was linked to RAPD markers OP-K19₃₅₀ (8.8 cM) and OP-O8₃₅₀ (19.6 cM). Fragments from OP-K19 and OP-O8 in the ICMP 83506 population, and Xpsm306 in the Tift 89D₂ population, were monomorphic. Only one RAPD marker (OP-D11₇₀₀, 5.6 cM) was linked to pyricularia leaf spot resistance. Attempts to detect polymorphisms with rice RFLP probes linked to rice blast resistance (Pyricularia oryzae; syn=P. grisea) were unsuccessful. Received: 19 May 1997 / Accepted: 21 October 1997     

Genetics of resistance toPuccinia graminis tritici andPuccinia recondite tritici in four South African wheats

Summary Genes for resistance toPuccinia graminis tritici andPuccinia recondita tritici identified in four South African wheats were:Sr6,Sr8a,Sr9e, andLr13 in W3762;Sr5,Sr8a,Sr9b,Sr12,Sr24,Lr13, andLr24 in W3760;Sr2,Sr24,SrC,Lr13, andLr24 in W3751; andSr7a,Sr23,Sr36, andLr16 in W3755. GenesSr2,Sr9e, andSr24 also conferred adult plant resistance to the predominant pathotypes ofP. graminis tritici. GenesSr7a,Sr23, andSrC, when present alone, did not confer acceptable adult plant resistance, even though low seedling reactions were associated with them when tested with the same pathotypes. Genetic recombination betweenLr13 andSr9e was estimated at 12.5%±2.3%.