Molecular Marker-Based Evaluation of Wheat Advance Lines for Leaf Rust and Strip Rust

Background: Leaf and brown rust are two common fungal diseases that affect wheat crops in Pakistan, as they do in many wheat-producing regions around the world. Objective: The present study was conducted to explore rust resistance potential of 50 advance lines of spring wheat. Material and methods: DNA markers linked with different genes conferring resistance to leaf rusts and Yellow rust were employed in this study. A total of 10 genes, consisting of seven Lr (Lr10, Lr19, Lr28, Lr29, Lr34, Lr46, Lr67) and three Yr (Yr5, Yr10, Yr15) were studied through linked DNA markers. Result: Marker Lr10 and SCS265 identified the presence of the Lr10 and Lr 19 gene in 30 and one advance lines out of the 50 advances lines correspondingly, indicating their resistance to leaf rust. Marker SCS421 for Lr 28 and Lr 29 for Lr 29 amplified in 34 and 50 wheat advance lines. Marker csLV34 and XMC44 detected the presence of the Lr34/YR18/Pm38 and Lr46/YR29/Pm39 gene in 5 and 13 lines respectively. Marker CFD 23 for Lr67/Yr46/Sr55/ and Xgwm413 for Yr 15 was not amplified in any wheat line. Wms501 and Xpsp3000 confirmed the presence of the Yr-5/Yr43 and Yr 10 gene in 9 and 31 wheat lines, indicating their potential rust resistance. Novelty Statement : This particular subset of wheat lines, including AKHBAR-19, 10141, V-20330, PGMB-20-48, V-19080, INDUS-21, NR-564, and WVH-1214, attributed to selective breeding practices or spontaneous allelic accumulation.