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Improving resistance to the agent of leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) of wheat species cultivated in ecological agriculture, einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum), emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum) and spelt wheat (Triticum spelta) (Improving resistance against leaf rust of einkorn wheat, emmer wheat, and spelt wheat)
Project
Project code: 2802OE028
Contract period: 17.04.2002
- 31.12.2003
Budget: 53,217 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: organic farming, agronomy, resistance, cultivars, plant health, plant breeding, plant cultivation
Genetically different species of wheat were evaluated for resistance to Puccinia triticinat. Diploid (einkorn wheats), tetraploid (durum and emmer wheats)and hexaploid (common or bread wheats) wheat species were collected from genebanks, conventional breeders and breeders of ecological farming to be tested for resistance. Wild einkorn wheat and cone wheat were also included in the study to increase the level of varibility. The collection comprised 1051 accessions, 733 of them were analysed for resistance in detail, the remaining numbers were discarded because of low frost hardiness or high susceptibility. 13 genotypes of einkorn wheat could be identified having a high level of prehaustorial resistance. The selection of these lines was based on scores of leaf flecks, indicating defence mechanisms of the plants, and microscopic studies of pathogen development within the leaf tissue. Prehaustorial resistance is characterized by unspecific reactions to fungus isolates of different virulence and by a broad genetic base. Therefore, it may be assumed to cause durable effects. The selected genotypes with prehaustorial resistance can be used directly in ecological farming but also as parents in cross breeding. The transfer of this type of resistance to durum and bread wheat would result in a significant breeding progress because it is not yet used in these wheat species and could contribute to breeding for durability of resistance. In emmer wheat and cone wheat partial resistance occurred quite frequently. With this type of resistance rust pustules are not developed at any infection site and genotypes differ by varying levels of disease severity. Partial resistance can be identified in field experiments without great expense provided there is sufficient infection pressure. The selected genotypes will be used directly after field tests of agronomically important traits. The transfer of resistance to other wheat species is the most interesting for durum wheat. There was also successful selection in spelt wheat. The frequency of resistant genotypes, however, was very low, only 2 of them had a high level of resistance. Crossing of these genotypes with a number of lines with outstanding agronomic ability could promote the use of the resistance in breeding and farming. The evaluation resulted in a number of resistant genotypes. Most interesting are the genes involved in prehaustorial resistance. Genes for partial resistance are known already from bread wheat, the novelty of the genes of emmer wheat and cone wheat has to be proved. The same is advisable for spelt wheat since new cultivars with resistance have been released. In any case , the effective use of the resistance genes requires intensive genetic analyses.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Breeding
- Genetic Resources
- Organic Farming
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics (JKI-EP)
