Mapping novel Fusarium head blight (FHB) and stripe rust resistance genes from Watkins landraces

Term: 3 years, beginning in 2021

Status: Ongoing

Funding Amount: $87, 688

Lead Researcher(s): Dr. Gurcharn Brar (University of British Columbia)

Funding Partners: Agriculture Development Fund - Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Alberta Wheat Commission, Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association

---

Project Description

Fusarium head blight (FHB) and stripe rust are two of the five priority diseases of wheat in Canada. This project focuses on genetic mapping of novel major-effect resistance genes to FHB and stripe rust. This research builds on Dr. Brar’s previous work on screening and identifying the resistant lines from 321 Watkins landraces for FHB and stripe rust resistance. In this study 2 resistant lines will be used to genetically map the genes conferring resistance to the two diseases. Breeder-friendly molecular markers will be developed for introgression of resistance into elite cultivars. Genetic mapping of novel adult-plant resistance (APR) gene(s) from spelt wheat lines for rust disease will be carried out. Those APR stripe rust resistance gene identified will be used for introgression into elite CWRS cultivars carrying Lr34/Yr18 genes (which is present in >60% commercial wheat cultivars in Canada). The long-term goal of this research is to utilize natural immunity in wheat germplasm to understand and identify new sources of resistance to mitigate the disease and improve resistance.