The field reaction to stem rust of 'Chinese Spring' substitution lines carrying chromosomes from 'Hope' and 'Thatcher' wheats

Abstract

Studies were done in an attempt to determine the inheritance of adult plant resistance to stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Eriks. and E. Henn.) in the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars 'Hope' and 'Thatcher'. 'Chinese Spring' substitution lines carrying individual chromosomes from 'Hope' and 'Thatcher' were tested in field rust nurseries, three times each with races 15B-1 and 56, and twice with multirace mixtures. In 1976 it was found that the date of heading often had a significant effect on rust severity, with early lines showing less rust. In 1977 and 1984 the lines were divided into three groups based on maturity and were planted on three dates about 10 days apart to make heading dates more uniform. The data indicate that 'Hope' has genes for resistance to race 56 on chromosomes 3B (Sr2) and 4D, and to a multirace mixture on 1B, 3B, and 7B. 'Thatcher' possibly has genes for resistance to race 56 on chromosomes 6A and 3B (Sr12). The results show that the resistance of both cultivars is complex and most genes have only small effects.Key words: Triticum, Puccinia, rust resistance, substitution lines.