Agropyron-Derived Specific Genes in Common Wheat and their Adult Plant Response to Wheat Pathogens

Twelve wheat stocks carrying Agropyron-derived specific genes and two accessions each of Agropyron elongatum and A. intermedium were studied for adult plant resistance to the populations of stem and leaf rust pathogens prevalent in the Nilgiris. They were also studied for seedling resistance to Erysiphe graminis tritici. The genes Sr24, Sr26 and Sr Agi conferred effective adult plant resistance to stem rust, whilst genes Lrl9, Lr24 and Lr29 conditioned high resistance to leaf rust. Gene Sr25 was found to be completely ineffective. All the wheat stocks were susceptible to powdery mildew. Except for the low intensity reaction of A. intermedium to stripe rust, both Agropyron species showed complete freedom to rusts and powdery mildew. With the exception of wheat variety Eagle, all the wheat stocks tested were found to be noncarriers of necrosis genes. The variety Eagle was found to be a heterogeneous population of Ne1 ne2 and ne1 ne2 genotypes.