Biotech Updates

New Slow-Rusting Leaf Rust and Stripe Rust Resistance Genes in Wheat are Closely Linked

October 29, 2010

It has been believed that the common wheat genotype ‘RL6077', which is similar to ‘Thatcher' carries the Lr34/Yr18 gene which gives slow resting adult plant resistance (APR) to leaf rust and stripe rust. However, after using diagnostic marker of the gene in the complete gene sequence of RL6077, it was discovered that the gene is absent.

Sybil A. Herrera-Foessel of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) together with other scientists crossed RL6077 with the susceptible wheat parent ‘Avocet' and developed populations from photoperiod-sensitive lines that are segregating for resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust. The lines were grown in different locations and were evaluated for resistance to leaf and stripe rust. Results showed that there is a correlation in the responses of the rusts, implying that the same gene or closely related genes could give resistance to the two diseases. Through molecular mapping, five markers were identified on chromosome 4DL .

In a parallel study in Canada which used Thatcher crossed with RL6077, the same gene (Lr67) that confers resistance was found in the same chromosomal region. The gene that gave resistance to the rusts in this study was designated as Yr46. The researchers conclude that Lr67/Yr46 can be used together with other slow-resting genes to come up with intense APR to leaf rust and stripe rust in wheat.

Subscribers of the Theoretical and Applied Genetics journal can access the research article at http://www.springerlink.com/content/146857287447624g/.