Monday, November 13, 2006
74-4
Characterization of a gene from Triticum monococcum conferring resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) in wheat.
Hsiao-Yi Hung1, Chandrakanth Emani1, Allan Fritz2, and Monica Menz1. (1) Texas A&M University, 2123 Tamu, College Station, TX 77843-2123, (2) Kansas State University, Department of Agronomy, 2004 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Manhattan, KS 66506
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell, 2n=6x=42, AABBDD) is subjected to significant yield losses by the endemic leaf rust pathogen, Puccinia triticina (Roberge ex Desmaz. F. sp. Tritici). Breeding for resistance to this disease is a more appropriate option both environmentally and economically over fungicidal application. More than 57 leaf rust resistance genes in wheat have been identified and many of the resistance genes have been successfully introgressed into resistant cultivars, yet the continuous shifting of predominant races of P. triticina continues to be a challenge to breeders. Pyramiding multiple resistance genes into a single resistant cultivar is one of the preferred strategies to develop superior disease resistant varieties. Efficient pyramiding requires the utilization of markers closely linked to the resistance genes. The objectives of this study were to characterize a novel source of resistance to leaf rust introgressed into the breeding line WX93D180-R-1, derived from Triticum monococcum, to determine its inheritance, map position, and linkage with molecular markers suitable for marker assisted selection. We developed a PCR based marker tightly linked to this resistant gene to facilitate its utilization in MAS.