Abstract

Leaf rust of wheat caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. is one of the most widespread disease in Egypt. In this study, thirteen Egyptian wheat genotypes were evaluated for leaf rust resistance at seedling stage under greenhouse condition and adult plant stage under field conditions over three growing seasons that are, 2011/2012, 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 and three locations that are, Itay El-Baroud and Nubariya Agricultural Research Stations as well as the Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Minufiya University, Shibin El-Kom. The tested wheat genotypes were classified into three groups according to their resistance. The first group, race-specific resistant genotypes including Shandweel 1, Misr 1, Misr 2, Sids 12 and Sids 13, showed the lowest values of final rust severity (FRS %) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC). The second group, slow-rusting or partially resistant genotypes including Sakha 94, Gemmeiza 9, Giza 168, Sakha 95, Gemmeiza 10 and Gemmeiza 11, displayed low level of FRS and AUDPC. The third one which includes Gemmeiza 7 and Sids 1, showed the highest values of FRS and AUDPC. Postulation of leaf rust resistance genes was differed between the tested genotypes.Results indicated that Sakha 95 and Sids 12 may have seven resistance genes. Moreover, Gemmeiza 10 may has five genes and Misr 1 may has three genes. While, Giza 168, Sids 1, Misr 2 and Shandweel 1 may have two genes. The wheat genotypes Gemmeiza 11 and Gemmeiza 12 may have only single gene. Also, all the tested wheat genotypes may contain some additional genes.In contrast, the wheat genotypes Sakha 94, Gemmeiza 7, Gemmeiza 9 and Sids 13 did not have any of the tested genes.

Key words: Wheat, leaf rust, seedling resistance, adult plant resistance, final rust severity (FRS), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), gene postulation.