Using marker-assisted backcrossing to transfer stripe rust resistance genes to Iranian wheat cultivars

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc. student, Deparment of Plant Productin and Genetic.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, iran

2 Ph.D. graduate, Deparment of Plant Productin and Genetic.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, iran

3 Assistant Professor, Deparment of Plant Productin and Genetic.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, iran

4 Associate Professor, Deparment of Plant Productin and Genetic.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, iran

10.22034/plant.2024.141546.1111

Abstract

Stripe (yellow) rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most important diseases of wheat in many parts of the world. The annual and indiscriminate use of fungicides not only increases pollution but can also lead to the resistance of pathogenic fungi to these chemicals. Therefore, creating genetic resistance is the best way to deal with this disease. Due to the challenges in quickly replacing susceptible wheat cultivars, breeding cultivars with suitable levels of genetic resistance is the most efficient method to control stripe rust as a long-term strategy. In this study, the Yr18 and Yr29 genes, which are among the most effective resistance genes in adult plants, were transferred to the Iranian cultivars Baharan, Rakhshan, Parsi, and Amin using the marker-assisted backcrossing method. For each cultivar, in four separate breeding projects, crosses were made with the donor parents Pavon/Lalbahadur and Opata85. The progeny of this generation (F1), containing 50% of the genetic material of their recurrent parent, were backcrossed with the Iranian cultivars (recurrent parent) to obtain BC1F1 progeny in each population. By genotyping 30 random plants in each project, the heterozygous genotypes carrying the resistance genes were identified using specific markers, and the second backcrossing was performed. In each population, a line resistant to yellow rust can be created by repeating several generations of backcrossing and one generation of selfing.

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