Transfer of additive "minor-effect" genes for resistance to Puccinia striiformis from Triticum dicoccoides into Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum

Transgressive segregation for higher resistance to stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) was found in segregating populations of crosses of Triticum dicoccoides × Triticum aestivum and T. dicoccoides × Triticum durum. This indicates that additive "minor-effect" gene resistance to stripe rust can be transferred directly from the wild emmer (AABB) to cultivated tetraploid and hexaploid wheats. Since "major-effect" genes for stripe-rust resistance seem to be limited in number, Triticum dicoccoides appears to be a valuable currently untapped reservoir for additive genes which can be combined with genes existing in the tetraploid and hexaploid wheats.