Identification of stem and leaf rust resistance genes in some promising wheat lines using molecular markers

Stem and leaf rusts are the most devastating wheat diseases, worldwide. Utilization of genetic resistance and improvement of resistant cultivars are considered as the most reliable approaches to control wheat rusts. Identification of rust resistance sources and the involved resistance genes is one of the requirements for achieving sustainable resistance as well as resistant cultivars. Molecular markers have been identified for a significant number of, stem and leaf rusts resistance genes/loci. In this study, selected pre-released wheat promising lines of four Iranian major climate zones (Hot and humid, Hot and dry, moderate and Cold( were evaluated for the presence of seedling resistance genes or loci linked to the four molecular markers Sr39/Lr35, Sr31/Yr9/Lr26/Pm8/Pm17, Sr24/Lr24 and Sr22. Based on the results Sr39/Lr35 locus was identified only in line SEP59, while Sr31/Yr9/Lr26/Pm8/Pm17 locus in lines S-84-14 and SEP49. Sr24/Lr24 and Sr22 loci were not identified in all lines tested. The results of this study showed a low frequency of the resistance loci in pre-released promising lines and, thus, lines possessing these loci should be incorporated in wheat breeding programs in order to increase their frequency in new cultivars.