Phytopathological screening and identification of Lr genes in wheat varieties and winter triticale of Russian selection

Aim. Phytopathological assessment of leaf rust resistance and identification of Lr genes in 15 zoned varieties of wheat and winter triticale. The material for the study was 15 varieties of winter wheat and triticale of domestic selection. The criteria for resistance to leaf rust were: type of reaction (score) and degree of damage (%), area under the disease development curve (ADDC, a.u.) and resistance index (RI). Phytopathological testing and molecular markers were used to identify genes. The triticale variety Argo was absolutely resistant (0). Triticale varieties Aznavur and Argus were highly resistant, as well as wheat varieties, Bogema, Volny Don, Zhavoronok, Kavalerka, Karavan and Sekletiya. Six wheat varieties were classified as moderately resistant: Akapella, Arsenal, Bylina Dona, Volnitsa, Karolina 5 and Korona. Varieties with a race-specific type of resistance accounted for 73 % of those studied. Using molecular markers, the age resistance gene Lr34 was identified in the triticale variety Argo and wheat varieties, Akapella, Arsenal, Vol'nica, Vol'nyj Don, Zhavoronok, Karolina 5, Korona and Sekletiya. Lr18 was found in two triticale varieties, Aznavur and Argo). Using phytopathological testing, most of the ineffective genes were identified under field conditions, with the exception of Lr36 , which is effective and postulated in the wheat varieties Bogema, Volny Don, Zhavoronok, and the Lr17 gene is moderately effective and was identified in the Volnitsa variety. It is important to take the data obtained here into account in regional breeding programmes and apply them for scientifically based placement of varieties in industrial crops.