Identification of Leaf Rust Resistance Genes in Selected Wheat Cultivars and Development of Multiplex PCR

Ten leading wheat cultivars originating from the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute (IHAR) - National Research Institute (Poland) and the Department of Gene Bank (Czech Republic) were used to establish a field experiment in 2017 and 2018 at the Dłoń Experimental Farm. The analyzed wheat genotypes were characterized by diversified field resistance to leaf rust. Jubilatka, Thatcher and Sparta were the most resistant cultivars in field conditions in both 2017 and 2018. The aim of the work was to identify the Lr11, L13, Lr16 and Lr26 genes encoding resistance to leaf rust using molecular SSR markers (wmc24, wmc261, Xgwm630, Xwmc764 and P6M12) and to develop multiplex PCR conditions to accelerate identification of these genes. Markers of three leaf rust resistance genes have been identified simultaneously in these cultivars. Jubilatka, Thatcher and Sparta cultivars may serve as a good source of the analyzed leaf rust resistance genes. In addition, multiplex PCR conditions have been developed for the simultaneous identification of the Lr11 and Lr16 and Lr11 and Lr26 gene pairs.