Selection in Early Breeding Generations for Leaf Rust Resistance Genes in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) with Molecular Markers

Selection of plants based on DNA marker linkage before the phenotypic trait for resistance is expressed, holds promise for greatly accelerating the rate of development of disease resistant crop plants. The presence of rust resistance genes Lr10, Lr26 and Lr37 was detected in F2 generation of the crosses PBW 343 x Thatcher Lr37 and UP 2338 x Thatcher Lr37 with the aid of STS markers. PCR with the STS markers detected the presence Lr10 in ten lines, Lr37 in nine lines and Lr26 in seven lines in cross PBW 343 x Thatcher Lr37. Thirteen lines with Lr37 and twelve lines with Lr26 were identified in the cross UP 2338 x Thatcher Lr37. Usefulness of molecular markers for marker assisted selection (MAS) in wheat is discussed.