The 1BL.1RS wheat-rye translocation from Petkus rye has contributed substantially to the world wheat production. However, following the breakdown of disease resistance genes in 1RS, its importance for wheat improvement decreased. We have developed a new 1BL.1RS line, R14, by means of crossing rye inbred line L155, selected from Petkus rye to several wheat cultivars. One new gene each, for stripe rust and powdery mildew resistance, located on 1RS of the line R14, are tentatively named YrCn17 and PmCn17. YrCn17 and PmCn17 confer resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici pathotypes that are virulent on Yr9, and Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici pathotypes virulent on Pm8. These two new resistances, YrCn17 and PmCn17, are now available for wheat improvement programs. The present study indicates that rye cultivars may carry yet untapped variations as potential sources of resistance.

Many studies have been conducted to determine the relative effects of the 1BL.1RS translocation on various traits in wheat. The effects of different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genetic backgrounds and rye (Secale cereale L.) sources have been addressed as major factors for inconsistent agronomic performance and end-use-quality traits of 1BL.1RS translocation wheats. However, all these studies were accomplished by using 1BL.1RS translocations with impure wheat genetic bases and narrow rye origins. The objective of this study was to test the genetic effects of centric fusion translocations by using primary 1BL.1RS lines derived from various pure wheat lines and rye sources. Twenty-one primary 1BL.1RS translocation lines were created from crosses between two pure wheat lines and three Chinese local rye varieties. These translocation lines and their wheat parents were then evaluated in southwestern China. The results provide direct evidence of the diverse effects of the different wheat parents and rye sources, taking part in 1BL.1RS translocations, on resistance to diseases, agronomic performance, and end-use quality traits. The highest amount of genetic diversity was observed in 1BL.1RS translocations derived from the same wheat lines and diverse rye varieties. The results suggest that the genetic diversity of 1BL.1RS translocation lines may originate from the different wheat genetic backgrounds, from different rye sources, from their interaction, and from the translocation itself. Creation of diverse 1BL.1RS translocations offers ample possibilities to introduce more variation into wheat for improved performance.

Several wheat lines and cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum) originating from the southwestern region of China were found to be highly resistant to stripe rust by inoculation with the prevalent races (CYR30, CYR31, and CYR32) and newly emerged races (H46-4, SY11-4 and SY11-14) of the pathogen. An inheritance study of the resistance to stripe rust was carried out by crossing resistant AIM6 with susceptible BeiZ76. Results indicated that the resistance to stripe rust was controlled by a single dominant gene. The 112 F(2) plants chosen from the cross BeiZ76/ AIM6 were analyzed with 218 pairs of microsatellite primers to determine the map location of the resistance gene. A simple sequence repeat marker on chromosome arm 2BS, Xgwm410, showed polymorphism and co-segregation between stripe rust resistant and susceptible plants. From the pedigree, inheritance, molecular marker, and resistance response, it is concluded that the stripe rust resistance gene in wheat cv. Chuan-nong19 (CN19) and wheat lines AIM5 and AIM6 is a novel gene, designated YrCN19. The microsatellite primer Xgwm410 is a diagnostic marker of the resistance gene YrCN19, which has potential for application in the marker-assisted breeding of wheat.

Hybrid plants with 21 pairs of wheat chromosomes and with a haploid rye genome were produced by backcrossing a primary octoploid triticale with its parental hexaploid wheat. Upon a second backcrossing or selfing, the rye chromosomes were eliminated rapidly. Added rye chromosomes, in varying numbers, affected the transmission rate of wheat chromosomes significantly. Loss of wheat chromosomes ranging from 0.06 to 0.35 per plant in different populations was observed. In these plants a remarkably high incidence of wheat/rye and rye/rye translocations occurred. Translocations were identified by using the C-banding technique. Among 837 analyzed plants 64 wheat/rye and 256 rye/rye translocations were identified. In different generations of backcrossing or selfing the frequency of wheat/rye translocations varied between 4.23 % and 14.67 %. All 14 rye chromosome arms were involved in translocations but with different frequencies. BCiFj plants with homozygous wheat/rye translocations were isolated. The results indicate that monosomic wheat/rye addition lines may be directly used as an effective means to transfer genetic material from rye into bread wheat.