Abstract

Several rust resistance genes have been identified and used in breeding for resistance but new variants of the pathogen (referred to as races) overcome the resistance over a period of time. Most plant breeders and pathologists now advocate durable resistance to rusts based on multiple genes as best source of resistance as breeding for this type of resistance tends to produce long-lasting solutions. Wheat breeders are now increasingly focusing on the identification and incorporation of race non-specific resistance genes that may provide only partial resistance but when used in combination with other genes can condition highly effective resistance. Molecular markers are becoming available for many genes and their use in marker-assisted selection will certainly have a remarkable impact in practical breeding.

Key word: Durable resistance, molecular markers, wheat, pathogen, Lr34 gene

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: HR, Hypersensitive reaction; QTL, quantitative trait loci; DNA,deoxyribonucleic acid; BACs, bacterial artificial chromosomes; wESTs, wheat expressed sequence tags; MAS, marker-assisted selection; GS,  genomic selection.