Molecular identification of triticale introgression lines carrying leaf rust resistance genes transferred from Aegilops kotschyi Boiss. and Ae. tauschii Coss

Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) is a commercial hybrid harboring wheat (Triticum sp.) and rye (Secale cereale L.) genomes. The limited genetic diversity of this crop resulted in the collapse of fungal disease resistance. Leaf rust disease, caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks., is reported to reduce the triticale yield significantly (more than 30%). There is a need to enlarge the genetic variability of this crop including leaf resistance genes. The main aim of this research was to evaluate the leaf rust resistance of the offspring of translocation lines of triticale carrying chromatin of Ae. tauschii and Ae. kotschyi. A reaction of seedlings of 200 plants of two triticale-Aegilops translocation lines (Bogo-2D(t).2R and Sekundo-2S(k).2R) was compared after inoculation with a natural mixture of P. triticina races, specific to triticale in controlled condition. Before inoculation, each plant was screened using molecular cytogenetics and molecular markers linked to leaf rust resistance genes. The presence of Aegilops chromosome segments was confirmed using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Lr39 and Lr54 leaf rust resistance genes were identified using Xgdm35 and S14 molecular markers, respectively. After inoculation, a significant improvement of resistance severity was observed in Sekundo-2S(k).2R in comparison with triticale cv. Sekundo plants. The resistance level of Bogo-2D(t).2R did not differ compared with triticale cv. Bogo plants. It was shown that Lr39 gene did not increase the leaf rust resistance level of triticale cv. Bogo. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13353-021-00635-2.