Abstract
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a vital staple crop, faces mounting challenges in ensuring global food security. This study aimed to develop solid stemmed wheat varieties fortified with multiple disease-resistance genes to combat disease and lodging challenges. Solid stem trait from select donors was transferred into contemporary Indian bread wheat cultivars. Additionally, through marker assisted backcrossing (MABC) techniques, resistant genes targeting leaf, stem, yellow rust, and powdery mildew were also incorporated into those backgrounds. Molecular markers confirmed the presence of solid stem and targeted resistance genes, ensuring the reliability of newly developed lines. These lines were assessed for solid stem characteristics to evaluate their performance across diverse regions. Field assessments conducted for disease screening in Wellington identified wheat varieties that exhibit resistance to both rusts and powdery mildew. Phenotypic screening for lodging and thermo tolerance highlighted the resilience of wheat lines with solid pith, emphasizing their potential role in mitigating climate change impacts. The study underscores the efficacy of backcross breeding and molecular tools in developing lodging resistant and thermo tolerant wheat varieties with enhanced rust-resistance, contributing to sustainable wheat production systems.
Abstract
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a vital staple crop, faces mounting challenges in ensuring global food security. This study aimed to develop solid stemmed wheat varieties fortified with multiple disease-resistance genes to combat disease and lodging challenges. Solid stem trait from select donors was transferred into contemporary Indian bread wheat cultivars. Additionally, through marker assisted backcrossing (MABC) techniques, resistant genes targeting leaf, stem, yellow rust, and powdery mildew were also incorporated into those backgrounds. Molecular markers confirmed the presence of solid stem and targeted resistance genes, ensuring the reliability of newly developed lines. These lines were assessed for solid stem characteristics to evaluate their performance across diverse regions. Field assessments conducted for disease screening in Wellington identified wheat varieties that exhibit resistance to both rusts and powdery mildew. Phenotypic screening for lodging and thermo tolerance highlighted the resilience of wheat lines with solid pith, emphasizing their potential role in mitigating climate change impacts. The study underscores the efficacy of backcross breeding and molecular tools in developing lodging resistant and thermo tolerant wheat varieties with enhanced rust-resistance, contributing to sustainable wheat production systems. Read More