Evaluating Gene Effects and Epistasis for Yellow Rust Resistance in Two Egyptian Wheat: Insights into the Yr15 Gene Using SSR Markers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Genetics and Genetic Engineering Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Egypt.

2 Field Crops Research institute,Agriculture Research Center

Abstract

To enhance yellow rust resistance in Egyptian bread wheat, the Yr15 gene was strategically introduced into the Misr-2 and Gemmeiza-11 cultivars using conventional breeding techniques during the 2019/2020 to 2021/2022 seasons at Sakha Agricultural Research Station. The study primarily focused on understanding the gene effects and epistasis concerning yield traits in two hybrids: Misr 2 x Yr15 (Cross I) and Gemmeiza 11 x Yr15 (Cross II). The hybrids with the Yr15 gene displayed robust field resistance to yellow rust, this could indicate that this gene significantly contributes to disease resistance. The high genetic variance and broad-sense heritability observed in these crosses suggest that selection for yellow rust resistance is highly effective in segregating generations. The F2 hybrids that combined Yr15 with susceptible cultivars showed the highest frequency of resistant plants, emphasizing the gene's effectiveness. The results advocate for incorporating and pyramiding the Yr15 gene into Egypt's national wheat breeding program to enhance rust resistance. Additionally, the selected F2 plants present a valuable resource for developing high-yielding, rust-resistant wheat germplasm. Molecular characterization through SSR marker analysis was crucial, as these markers effectively identified the Yr15 gene due to their high polymorphism and co-dominance. The distinct banding patterns confirmed the successful integration of the Yr15 gene into the parental lines and hybrids. Furthermore, SSR markers facilitate early selection of desirable traits at the seedling stage, significantly reducing the need for extensive phenotypic screening and expediting the breeding process.

Keywords

Main Subjects