Genetics of Stem Rust Resistance in Wheat Cvs. Pasqua and AC Taber

Abstract

Canadian wheat cvs. Pasqua and AC Taber were examined genetically to determine the number and identity of stem rust resistance genes in both. The two cultivars were crossed with stem rust susceptible line RL6071, and sets of random F₆ lines were developed from each cross. The F₆ lines, parents, and tester lines with single stem rust resistance genes were grown in a field rust nursery, inoculated with a mixture of stem and leaf rust races, and evaluated for rust resistance. The same wheat lines were tested by inoculation with specific stem rust races in seedling tests to postulate which Sr genes were segregating in the F6 lines. Segregation of F₆ lines indicated that Pasqua had three genes that conditioned field resistance to stem rust and had seedling genes Sr5, Sr6, Sr7a, Sr9b, and Sr12. Leaf rust resistance gene Lr34, which is in Pasqua, was associated with adult-plant stem rust resistance in the segregating F₆ lines. Adult-plant gene Sr2 was postulated to condition field resistance in AC Taber, and seedling genes Sr9b, Sr11, and Sr12 also were postulated to be in AC Taber.