International audienceWith standardised near isogenic line (NIL) differentials co-operators were able to present the first comprehensive virulence survey of the European wheat leaf rust population (1996-1999). The work included pathotype identification of 2608 isolates and field tests of NILs. Lr9 and Lr19 were very effective all over Europe. Lr24, Lr25, and Lr28 were also effective, but in some countries and locations substantial virulence frequencies were observed. In addition, the genes Lr12, Lr13, Lr22a, Lr34, Lr35 and Lr37 were effective at the adult plant stage, but locally less so. In general, the indoor seedling tests and adult plant field tests showed good agreement. Virulence to Lr1, Lr2a, Lr24, Lr25, Lr28 and Lr29 tended to increase in the period, for the other Lr-genes the virulence frequency remained more or less stable. Among the 105 pathotypes identified none was clearly predominant in Europe.La situation en Europe pour la virulence de la rouille brune chez le blé. L'utilisation d'une gamme d'hôtes différentiels commune composée de lignées isogéniques (NIL) a permis aux auteurs de réaliser le premier inventaire exhaustif de la population européenne de rouille brune du blé (1996-1999). Deux mille six cent huit isolats ont été identifiés et les NIL ont été évaluées au champ. Lr9 et Lr19 se sont révélés efficaces dans toute l'Europe. Lr24, Lr25 et Lr28 ont également été efficaces, mais la fréquence des virulences correspondantes était non négligeable dans certains pays et certains lieux. Les gènes Lr12, Lr13, Lr22a, Lr34, Lr35 et Lr37 ont été efficaces au stade adulte, excepté dans quelques lieux. En général, les résultats des tests au stade plantule en conditions contrôlées ont été cohérents avec ceux obtenus au stade adulte au champ. Les fréquences de virulence sont demeurées stables au cours de la période étudiée, sauf pour Lr1, Lr2a, Lr24, Lr25 et Lr29, dont les fréquences de virulence correspondantes tendaient à augmenter. Aucun des 105 pathotypes identifiés n'est apparu clairement dominant en Europe

The determination of the gluten index is a widely used method for analysing the gluten strength of bread wheat and spring durum wheat genotypes. The present work was carried out to study the effect of the genotype, meteorological factors (temperature, precipitation and number of days with T max C 30°C) and agronomic treatments (N fertilisation and plant protection) on the gluten index of winter durum wheat varieties and breeding lines. The results indicated that the gluten index had little dependence on the environment, being determined to the greatest extent by the genotype. Compared with varieties having weak gluten, those with a strong gluten matrix responded less sensitively to changes in environmental conditions. Among the meteorological factors, high temperature at the end of the grain-filling period caused the greatest reduction in the mean gluten index of three varieties (R 2 = 0.462), while the fertiliser was found to be a significant factor affecting the gluten strength of winter durum wheat varieties. Using selection based on the gluten index, the gluten strength of winter durum wheat lines can be improved sufficiently to make them competitive with high quality spring varieties.

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