Phenotypic Assessment of Turkish Wheat Genotypes For slow Yellow Rusting Resistance (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici)

Abstract

Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici, also known as yellow rust, is one of the most destructive fungal pathogens in wheat-growing areas. Controlling this disease requires various techniques, such as chemical applications or developing resistant genotypes. The selection process of the lines is one of the most important steps in wheat breeding programs. Slow-rusting parameters are good indicators of resistance to rust and are useful in the selection of the genotypes with rust resistance. In this study, 787 durum and bread wheat genotypes were evaluated in the seedling stage and adult plant trials in the field during three growing seasons. They were evaluated through two slow rusting components: final rust severity (FRS), area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC).. Based on the seedling stage reactions, 575 genotypes were sown in the field to assess their adult plant reactions in 2021. Of these genotypes, 5.39% (31 genotype) were found to be very resistant, resistant, or moderately resistant. Thirty onegenotypes were screened under field conditions during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons for verification. Fifteen genotypes (48.38%) have shown a high slow yellow rusting rate in both seasons. Results from this study will help breeders in developing yellow rust-resistant genotypes.