Genetic Resources of Spring Wheat Resistant to Brown Rust

Abstract

Brown (leaf) rust is the most common wheat disease and is found on all continents and countries where this crop is cultivated. Spring wheat occupies about 9 million hectares in Northern Kazakhstan. According to M.K. Koishybaev, brown rust and Septoria spot often appear together in the northern region, when they spread during the shooting-earing period and in case of wide progression, yield losses reach 30-40%, at the beginning of the filling- grain milk ripeness period - 7-10%. Among plant protection measures from various diseases caused by parasitic fungi, bacteria, viruses, as well as from damage by various insects, the most effective is introduction of immune varieties into the culture. The aim of our research is to study the genetic resources of spring crops and to identify new sources and donors of leaf rust resistance in northern Kazakhstan. In total, 150 varieties of spring bread wheat of various ecological and geographical origin were selected. The collection seed plot of spring soft wheat was sown in 2 replications, with a plot area of 2m2. The brown rust plot was lain according to the methodology of the State Variety Testing of Agricultural Crops. As a result of the work carried out, thirty-one new sources of resistance to leaf rust were identified: k-29288 (Georgia), Stendal (Italy), Sriblyanka, PKHRSV 02 (Ukraine), Frontana (Brazil), Marquis (Canada), etc. Seven varieties were characterized by resistance to leaf rust and a complex of economically valuable traits: Lutescens 415/00; Lutescens 120-03; Lutescens 16-04; Haamam 4; Sigma; Sibirskaya 17; Chelyaba early. The selected samples are of great interest for practical breeding and will be used to create new varieties of spring wheat with high productivity and resistance to leaf rust.