Abstract:
Leaf rust, caused by P. triticina (Pt) is one of the most wide-spread diseases of wheat. This
pathogen was introduced into Australia by first migrant settlers. Due to its wide range of
adoptation, rapid evolution of P. triticina (Pt) pathotypes in Australia has defeated many leaf rust
resistance genes. Deployment of genetically diverse sources of resistance in wheat cultivars with
the help of tightly linked molecular markers is the most quickest and eco-friendly means of rust
control. Seedling resistant and adult plant leaf rust susceptible cultivar Aus91433 was crossed with
the selection C16.14 and recombinant inbred line population was developed. The
C16.14/Aus91433 RIL population was screened with Pt pathotype 104-2,3,6,(7),12 at the seedling
stage in greenhouse. Resistant RILs and Aus91433 expressed IT 12C and susceptible RILs and
C16.14 exhibited IT 3+. Monogenic segregation for leaf rust response was observed. The
resistance locus was temporarily named LrPak. Genomic DNA extracted from the Resistance RILs
and Susceptible RILs were processed with high throughput 90K SNP Array-based BSA to detect
the chromosomal location of the resistance. 90K SNP Array identified association of 32 SNPs
from chromosome 2B with LrPak. These SNPs spanned across 6.0 cM to 27.0 cM interval of the
90K consensus map. Based on the parental polymorphic screening, final linkage map of 17.4 cM
showing marker order and position of the gene was drawn. KASP_80930 and KASP_51150 flanked
LrPak 2.1 cM and 2.5 cM proximally and distally, respectively. Identified closely linked molecular
markers in this study will be used for marker assisted back crossing of LrPak into modern wheat
varieties to create diversity for leaf rust resistance.
