Molecular screening for leaf and yellow rust resistance genes in Pakistani wheat varieties

The current study was conducted to screen 12 Pakistani wheat varieties in order to detect the presence and absence of resistance genes against stripe and leaf rust such as Yr9, Lr60, Yr19, Yr16, Yr6, Lr34, Yr5, Yr17, Yr29 andYr15.The main methodology employed for screening was PCR using SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers. The SSR markers were used including 1ag95, Xwmc159, Xwmc3, Xwmc3, Xbarc101, Xgwm29, Xgwm120, S19M93, and S23M41. The amplification was observed in PCR results of only 5 markers. The markers band was detected for Yr19, Lr60, Yr29, Yr17, Yr15 genes. From the experiment, those varieties which showed positive result had resistance genes against leaf and stripe rust. While remaining marker which was used did not amplify DNA in PCR reaction. No bands were detected for Yr16, Yr6, Lr34, Yr5 andYr9 genes. The reason was behind that these varieties had not been crossbred properly so the desirable trait is not present in these varieties. Those varieties which contained resistance gene breeder can have used these varieties as donor parent plants for further hybridization to decrease wheat rust.