Search

Wheat leaf rust, triggered by Puccinia triticina Eriks (Pt), is among the most important diseases of wheat worldwide. Deploying resistant varieties against leaf rust is the most effective, environmentally-friendly and economic way to control the disease. In the present study, 66 wheat varieties form China and foreign countries were tested with 17 Pt races for gene postulation during the seedling stage in the greenhouse. All the varieties were also planted to identify slow rusting responses to leaf rust at the adult plant stage in Baoding and Zhoukou field trials during the 2016/2017 to 2017/2018 cropping seasons. Moreover, 12 closely linked molecular markers to known leaf rust resistance (Lr) genes were used for assessing all the varieties. The results of both gene postulation and molecular marker identification showed that a total of eight Lr genes, Lr1, Lr10, Lr17, Lr20, Lr26, Lr34, Lr37 and Lr46, either singly or in combination were detected in 32 varieties. Known Lr genes were not identified in the remaining 34 varieties. Seventeen varieties were found to have slow rusting resistance. The resistance sources identified in this study can be used as resources for resistance against leaf rust in wheat breeding programs in China and the respective foreign countries.

A genome-wide association analysis identified diverse loci for seedling and adult plant resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust. KASP markers were developed and validated for marker-assisted selection. Wheat leaf rust and stripe rust cause significant losses in many wheat producing regions worldwide. The objective of this study was to identify chromosome regions conferring resistance to both leaf rust and stripe rust at the seedling and adult plant stages. A diversity panel of 268 wheat lines, including 207 accessions from different wheat growing regions in China, and 61 accessions from foreign countries, were evaluated for leaf rust response at seedling stage using eight Chinese Puccinia triticina pathotypes, and also tested for leaf rust and stripe rust at adult plant stage in multiple field environments. The panel was genotyped with the Wheat 90 K Illumina iSelect SNP array. Genome-wide association mapping (GWAS) was performed using the mixed linear model (MLM). Twenty-two resistance loci including the known Lr genes, Lr1, Lr26, Lr3ka, LrZH22, and 18 potentially new loci were identified associated with seedling resistance, explaining 4.6 to 25.2% of the phenotypic variance. Twenty-two and 23 adult plant resistance (APR) QTL associated with leaf and stripe rust, respectively, were identified at adult stage, explaining 4.2–11.5% and 4.4–9.7% of the phenotypic variance. Among them, QLr-2BS was the potentially most valuable all-stage resistance gene. Seven and six consistent APR QTL were identified in multiple environments including best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) data, respectively. Comparison with previously mapped resistance loci indicated that three of the seven leaf rust resistance APR QTL, and two of the six stripe rust resistance APR QTL were new. Four potentially pleiotropic APR QTL, including Lr46/Yr29, QLr-2AL.1/QYr-2AL.1, QLr-2AL.2/QYr-2AL.2, and QLr-5BL/QYr-5BL.1, were identified. Twelve associated SNPs were converted into kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers and verified in bi-parental populations. The study reports genetic loci conferring resistance to both diseases, and the closely linked markers should be applicable for marker-assisted wheat breeding.

Wheat leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina (Pt), is a widespread disease of bread wheat worldwide. In the present study, 50 wheat cultivars from Ethiopia and 34 differential lines, mostly near-isogenic lines (NILs) in the background of Thatcher with known resistance genes to leaf rust (Lr), were tested with 14 Pt races in the greenhouse to postulate Lr genes at the seedling stage. Field experiments were also conducted to identify adult plant responses to leaf rust in Baoding in the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 growing seasons and in Zhoukou in the 2018–2019 growing season. Thirteen Lr genes (Lr1, Lr18, Lr3ka, Lr15, Lr26, Lr20, Lr14a, Lr30, Lr2a, Lr11, Lr34, Lr46, and Lr68) either singly or in combination were found in 39 cultivars. Known Lr genes were not present in the remaining 11 cultivars. Lr1 and Lr46, each in 13 cultivars, and Lr34 in 12 cultivars were the most commonly identified resistance genes. Less frequently identified genes included Lr26 (five cultivars); Lr30 and Lr18 (each present in four cultivars); Lr15, Lr3ka, and Lr2a (each identified in three cultivars); and Lr68 (two cultivars). Evidence for the existence of Lr11, Lr20, and Lr14a (each in one cultivar) was also obtained. Twenty-one cultivars were found to have slow rusting resistance to leaf rust in the field tests. The results should be valuable for cultivar selection with combinations of effective Lr genes and used in breeding new cultivars with improved resistance to leaf rust in Ethiopia and China.

Stripe or yellow rust (YR) and leaf rust (LR) cause large losses in wheat production worldwide. Resistant cultivars curtail the levels of losses. The present study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for YR and LR resistance in 147 F2:6 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from the cross Fuyu 3/Zhengzhou 5389. The RIL population and parents were genotyped with the Wheat55K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. All materials were also phenotyped for YR severity at Mianyang in Sichuan province and Baoding in Hebei province in the 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 cropping seasons, and LR severity at Zhoukou in Henan province and at Baoding in 2017/2018. Eleven QTL for YR resistance and five for LR resistance were detected using inclusive composite interval mapping (IciMapping). Four of these QTL on chromosomes 1BL, 2BS, 3AL, and 5AL conferred resistance to both YR and LR. The QTL on 1BL was Lr46/Yr29, and that on 7BL might be Lr68. The QTL on chromosome 2BS was detected at a similar position to previously detected loci. QYr.hebau-3AL/QLr.hebau-3AL, QYr.hebau-5AL/QLr.hebau-5AL, QYr.hebau-7DL, QYr.hebau-4BS, QYr.hebau-6DL, and QYr.hebau-2AS are likely to be new. An SSR marker for QYr.hebau-7DL was developed and validated in a diverse wheat panel from China, suggesting effectiveness in different genetic backgrounds. These QTL with closely linked SNP and SSR markers could be useful for marker-assisted selection in wheat breeding programs targeting durable resistance to both diseases.

Stripe rust and leaf rust cause wheat yield losses of up to 70% worldwide. The employment of resistant cultivars is the major method to reduce losses from these diseases. The objective of this study was to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for stripe rust and leaf rust resistance in 150 F6 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from a cross between Mianyang351-15 and Zhengzhou 5389. Both parents and the RIL population were genotyped with the Wheat55K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and simple sequence repeat markers, and phenotyped for stripe rust severity at Mianyang in Sichuan Province and Baoding in Hebei Province, and for leaf rust severity at Zhoukou in Henan Province and at Baoding in 2014 to 2017 cropping seasons. Seven and four QTL all contributed from Mianyang351-15 were identified for resistance to stripe rust and leaf rust, respectively. Four of these QTL on chromosomes 1BL, 2AS, 2DS, and 7BL conferred resistance to both stripe rust and leaf rust. The QTL on 1BL, 2AS, and 7BL were identified as Lr46/Yr29, Lr37/Yr17, and Lr68, respectively. QYr.hbau-2DS/QLr.hbau-2DS was detected at similar positions to previously reported loci. QYr.hbau-1DL, QYr.hbau-3AS, and QYr.hbau-3DL are likely to be new. Combined effects of QTL in the RIL population indicated RIL combining all QTL had the highest resistance level compared with those of lower numbers or no QTL. These QTL, with their closely linked SNP markers, are applicable for marker-assisted breeding and candidate gene discovery.

Wheat leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina) and stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) cause large production losses in many regions of the world. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust in a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between wheat cultivars SW 8588 and Thatcher. The population and parents were genotyped with the Wheat 55K SNP Array and SSR markers and phenotyped for leaf rust severity at Zhoukou in Henan Province and Baoding in Hebei Province. Stripe rust responses were also evaluated at Chengdu in Sichuan Province, and at Baoding. Seven and six QTL were detected for resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust, respectively. Four QTL on chromosomes 1BL, 2AS, 5AL, and 7BL conferred resistance to both rusts. The QTL on 1BL and 2AS were identified as Lr46/Yr29 and Lr37/Yr17, respectively. QLr.hebau-2DS from Thatcher, identified as Lr22b that was previously thought to be ineffective in China, contributed a large effect for leaf rust resistance. QLr.hebau-5AL/QYr.hebau-5AL, QLr.hebau-3BL, QLr.hebau-6DS, QYr.hebau-4BS, and QYr.hebau-6DS are likely to be new QTL, but require further validation. Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers for QLr.hebau-2DS and QLr.hebau-5AL/QYr.hebau-5AL were successfully developed and validated in a diverse wheat panel from Sichuan Province, indicating their usefulness under different genetic backgrounds. These QTL and their closely linked SNP and SSR markers will be useful for fine mapping, candidate gene discovery, and marker-assisted selection in breeding for durable resistance to both leaf and stripe rusts.

Wheat leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina (Pt), is an important foliar disease that has an important influence on wheat yield. The most economic, safe and effective way to control the disease is growing resistant cultivars. In the present study, a total of 46 wheat landraces and 34 wheat lines with known Lr (leaf rust resistance) genes were inoculated with 16 Pt pathotypes for postulating seedling resistance gene(s) in the greenhouse. These cultivars and five wheat differential lines with adult plant resistance (APR) genes (Lr12, Lr22b, Lr34, Lr35 and Lr37) were also evaluated for identification of slow rusting resistance in the field trials in Baoding, Hebei Province of China in the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 cropping seasons. Furthermore, 10 functional molecular markers closely linked to 10 known Lr genes were used to detect all the wheat genotypes. Results showed that most of the landraces were susceptible to most of the Pt pathotypes at seedling stage. Nonetheless, Lr1 was detected only in Hongtangliangmai. The field experimental test of the two environments showed that 38 landraces showed slow rusting resistance. Seven cultivars possessed Lr34 but none of the landraces contained Lr37 and Lr46. Lr genes namely, Lr9, Lr19, Lr24, Lr28, Lr29, Lr47, Lr51 and Lr53 were effective at the whole plant stage. Lr18, Lr36 and Lr45 had lost resistance to part of pathotypes at the seedling stage but showed high resistance at the adult plant stage. Lr34 as a slowing rusting gene showed good resistance in the field. Four race-specific APR genes Lr12, Lr13, Lr35 and Lr37 conferred good resistance in the field experiments. Seven race-specific genes, Lr2b, Lr2c, Lr11, Lr16, Lr26, Lr33 and LrB had lost resistance. The 38 landraces showed slow rusting resistance to wheat leaf rust can be used as resistance resources for wheat resistance breeding in China.

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina (Pt), is one of the most important wheat diseases of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Using resistant cultivars is the most economical and efficient way to control the disease. A total of 86 wheat cultivars from Sichuan province in China were inoculated with 14 Pt races for postulating seedling leaf rust resistance (Lr) gene(s) in the greenhouse. Meanwhile, these cultivars were also planted in Baoding and Zhoukou trial fields for identifying slow leaf rusting genes during the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 cropping seasons. Twelve specific markers for ten known Lr genes (Lr1, Lr9, Lr10, Lr19, Lr20, Lr24, Lr26, Lr34, Lr37 and Lr46) were also used for molecular marker detection. Based on the results from the gene postulation and molecular marker detection, nine Lr genes (Lr1, Lr2a, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr30, Lr36, Lr15, Lr37, and Lr46) were identified in 45 cultivars either singly or in combination. Most frequently identified Lr genes were Lr26 in 25 cultivars and Lr37 in 21 cultivars. Less frequently detected genes were Lr1 and Lr46 each in nine cultivars, Lr3ka in five cultivars, Lr30 in three cultivars and Lr36 in two cultivars. Lr2a and Lr15 were found in Chuannong 16 and Chuanmai 1, respectively. Twenty-nine cultivars were found to have slow rusting resistance during the two growing seasons. The results should be useful for selecting cultivars with combinations of genes for effective resistance to grow and in breeding new cultivars with improved resistance to leaf rust.

Leaf rust (LR) is a destructive foliar disease of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Growing resistant cultivars with adult plant resistance (APR) are the ideal way to control the disease. The aim of the present study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for leaf rust resistance using 137 doubled-haploid (DH) lines derived from the Pingyuan 50 × Mingxian 169 cross. The same population was previously tested for stripe rust (YR) and powdery mildew (PM) response, and the data were reassessed to determine the presence of QTL with pleiotropic effects. Phenotyping for leaf rust response was conducted in six environments at Baoding in Hebei province and Zhoukou in Henan province. The DH lines were genotyped using the wheat 55K SNP array and additional SSR markers. Eight QTLs for LR resistance were identified in the present study using the inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM). The flanking sequences of all the SNP probes were subjected to BLAST against the Chinese Spring reference sequence to determine physical positions. Six LR resistance loci were contributed by Pingyuan 50, but QLr.hebau-2DS2 and QLr.hebau-3AL were from Mingxian 169. QLr.hebau-3DS, a new and stable QTL detected in all environments, explained 4.2–20.0% of the phenotypic variation. Another new QTL, QLr.hebau-3AL detected in four environments had a PVE (phenotypic variance explained) of 5.7–10.1%. QLr.hebau-1BL, QLr.hebau-2DS2, and QLr.hebau-7DL are new loci. Two QTLs showed potential pleiotropic effects on disease response. QTL on chromosome 7DL might be pleiotropic to LR and PM, and the QTL on 5DL might confer pleiotropic resistance to LR and YR. Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers for QLr.hebau-3AL and QLr.hebau-3DS were successfully developed and validated. The QTL identified with their flanking markers and in the present study could be useful for fine mapping, candidate gene mining, and marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Puccinia triticina Eriks. (Pt), the causal agent of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaf rust, is the most widespread disease of common wheat worldwide. In the present study, 83 wheat cultivars from three provinces of China and 36 tester lines with known leaf rust resistance (Lr) genes were inoculated in the greenhouse with 18 Pt pathotypes to identify seedling effective Lr genes. Field tests were also performed to characterize slow leaf rusting responses at the adult plant growth stage in Baoding and Zhoukou in the 2014–15 and 2015–16 cropping seasons. Twelve Lr genes, viz. Lr1, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr10, Lr2b, Lr13, Lr21, Lr34, Lr37, Lr44, and Lr46 either singly or in combination were identified in 41 cultivars. Known Lr genes were not detected in the remaining 42 cultivars. The most commonly identified resistance genes were Lr26 (20 cultivars), Lr46 (18 cultivars), and Lr1 (eight cultivars). Less frequently detected genes included Lr13, Lr34, and Lr37 (each present in four cultivars), Lr10 (three cultivars), and Lr3ka and Lr44 (each in two cultivars). Evidence for the presence of genes Lr11, Lr2b, and Lr21 (each in one cultivar) was also obtained. Seventeen cultivars were found to have slow rusting resistance in both field growing seasons.