Protecting rye from stem rust using new genetic resources and innovative selection methods

Funding

CORNET - AiF

Duration

2019 – 2021

Research partners

JKI-Institut für Pflanzenschutz im Ackerbau und Grünland, Kleinmachnow: Dr. K. Flath; A. WitzkeInstitute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute (IPP – NRI), Poznan, Polen: Dr. A. Tratwal

Industrial partners

KWS LOCHOW, Bergen: Dr. J. Eifler/Dr. A. Gordillo;

HYBRO Saatzucht, Kleptow: Dr. F.J. Fromme

DANKO Hodowla Roślin, Kościan, Poland

National Federation of Cereal Producers (NFCP), Warsaw, Polen;

GFPi, Bonn: Dr. J. Jacobi

Team

<font color="#000000">P. Gruner / T. Miedaner</font>

To improve resistance to stem rust in rye (Puccinia graminis f. sp. secalis), a high-throughput method using leaf segment testing (BST) will be established. This will significantly reduce the effort needed to identify new resistance genes. The project will (1) identify new stem rust resistance genes in cleaved self-fertile genetic resource populations, (2) compare BST results with those from field trials for these populations, (3) perform comparative QTL mapping using data from field and BST results, (4) investigate the racial diversity and complexity of black rust populations with an extended differential assortment in Germany and Poland, (5) test newly discovered resistance genes for their efficacy against highly virulent isolates. To this end, 92 progeny from six bi-parental crosses with resistance carriers (A × R) will be examined phenotypically (BST and field) and with a 15k SNP array in Germany and Poland. In addition, 60 inbred lines from the three cooperating breeding companies (D, PL) will be examined. The project will make selection for stem rust resistance with innovative breeding methods much more effective and will open up new markets for the German and Polish companies in Eastern Europe, where stem rust resistance is essential.