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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #284203
Title: Validation of molecular markers for new stem rust resistance (Sr) genes in U.S. hard winter wheat

Author
item BERNARDO, AMY - Kansas State University
item Bowden, Robert
item Rouse, Matthew
item Newcomb, Maria
item Marshall, David
item Bai, Guihua

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/2012
Publication Date: 4/20/2013
Citation: Bernardo, A., Bowden, R.L., Rouse, M.N., Newcomb, M.S., Marshall, D.S., Bai, G. 2013. Validation of molecular markers for new stem rust resistance (Sr) genes in U.S. hard winter wheat. Crop Science. 53(3):755-764.

Interpretive Summary: Stem rust is one of the most serious diseases of wheat worldwide. The discovery of new virulent stem rust races in the Ug99 race complex brings a new threat to global wheat production. Stacking several stem rust resistance (Sr) genes in one adapted variety is one strategy to develop durably resistant varieties. Stacking Sr genes is only feasible with accurate DNA markers tightly linked to Sr genes. In this study, DNA markers linked to resistance genes Sr2, Sr22, Sr26, Sr32, Sr35, Sr39, and Sr40, were evaluated for usefulness in marker-assisted breeding of hard winter wheat. Useful markers for all the genes were validated and are recommended for marker-assisted stacking of these genes to develop wheat cultivars with stem rust resistance against Ug99 races.

Technical Abstract: Stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), is one of the most serious diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. The discovery of new Pgt races in Africa, Ug99 and its variants, brings a new threat to global wheat production. Pyramiding several stem rust resistance genes into adapted varieties as opposed to breeding varieties with a single resistance gene is considered a more effective method to combat new races, but the success of gene pyramiding depends on the availability of molecular markers tightly linked to resistance genes. Markers for Ug99-effective genes, Sr2, Sr22, Sr26, Sr32, Sr35, Sr39, and Sr40, were evaluated for usefulness in marker-assisted selection (MAS) of hard winter wheat (HWW) using 10 resistance gene donor lines, 17 recently released U.S. HWW varieties or breeding lines, and 20 advanced introgression lines. Markers XcsIH81-BM and XcsIH81-AG for Sr22, Xsr26#43 and XBE51879 for Sr26, Xbarc55 for Sr32, Xbarc51 for Sr35, Xrwg27 for Sr39, Xsr39#22r for Sr40, and csSr2-derived single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker for Sr2 are diagnostic for the set of HWW accessions evaluated in this study. These markers should be useful in marker-assisted pyramiding of stem rust resistance genes to develop HWW cultivars with multiple gene resistance against Ug99 races.