Genetic analysis of leaf rust resistance in three common wheat cultivars MP 3288, HI 784 and HI 1418 under field conditions

This study aimed to investigate the genetic basis of leaf rust resistance in three bread wheat cultivars viz., MP 3288, HI 1418 and HI 784 which have been maintaining high levels of resistance to leaf rust since their release in 2011, 2000, and 1983, respectively. These cultivars also possess leaf tip necrosis phenotype. These were crossed with a susceptible bread wheat cultivar Lal Bahadur and also among themselves in non-reciprocal manner. The F1, F2 and F3 populations were raised and the inheritance of leaf rust resistance was studied using prevalent and highly virulent Puccinia triticina pathotype 77-5 (121R63-1) during 2014–17. These studies showed that the field (adult-plant) resistance of these cultivars is governed by two dominant genes each. Closely linked molecular markers L34DINT9F and L34PLUSR revealed the presence of non-race specific adult-plant leaf rust resistance gene Lr34 in all cultivars of present study. Absence of the other documented race nonspecific APR genes viz., Lr46, Lr67 and Lr68 was indicated in all the three test cultivars based on genotyping with closely linked molecular markers WMC44, CFD71 and csgs, respectively. The other dominant gene appears to be an allstage resistance gene since all the three cultivars displayed high levels of seedling resistance to the test pathotype. Stable resistance of these cultivars could be due to synergistic/additive or complementary effects resulting from the combination of Lr34 and the all-stage resistance gene.