Incorporation of leaf rust resistance genes into winter wheat genotypes using marker-assisted selection

The breeding and cultivation of resistant wheat varieties is an effective way of controlling leaf rust ( Puccinia triticina Eriks.). The use of molecular markers facilitates the incorporation of the major leaf rust resistance genes ( Lr genes) responsible for resistance into new varieties and the pyramiding of these genes. Marker-assisted selection was used to incorporate the Lr genes currently effective in Hungary ( Lr9 , Lr24 , Lr25 , Lr29 ) into winter wheat varieties. The Lr genes were identified using STS, SCAR and RAPD markers closely linked to them. Investigations were made on how these markers could be utilised in plant breeding, and near-isogenic lines resembling the recurrent variety but each containing a different Lr gene were developed to form the initial stock for the pyramiding of resistance genes. The results indicate that the marker-assisted selection technique elaborated for resistance genes Lr24 , Lr25 and Lr29 can be applied simply and effectively in wheat breeding, while the detection of the Lr9 marker is uncertain.