Identification of Leaf Rust Resistance Genes in Chinese Common Wheat Cultivars

Puccinia triticina Eriks. (Pt), the causal agent of wheat (Triticuni 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. Lrl, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lrl 1, LrI0, Lr2b, Lr13, Lr21, Lr34, L7-37, 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 Lrl (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 Lrl 1, Lr2b, and Lr21 (each in one cultivar) was also obtained. Seventeen cultivars were found to have slow rusting resistance in both field growing seasons.