Screening of wheat from available germplasm against leaf rust caused by puccinia triticina for the source of resistance

The research was conducted for the source of resistance against leaf rust of wheat caused by Puccinia triricina. In the present study, eight varieties/advanced lines were evaluated in 2013-14 against this disease using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at the experimental research area of Department of Plant Pathology, University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan. During the month of March, 2013-14 seven genotypes/successions viz. A-24, A-20, K-11, A-09, A-17, A-08 and A-29 exhibited moderately susceptible response against leaf rust of wheat as compared to an advanced line i.e. A-25 expressed moderately resistant response. Similarly, during month of April, four varieties/genotypes namely A-24, A-20, K-11 and A-25 showed moderately resistant response whereas other four genotypes/advanced lines such as A-09, A-17, A-08 and A-29 showed moderately susceptible response against leaf rust of wheat. However, conclusively it was pragmatic that eight lines/genotypes were screened out against leaf rust of wheat. Four lines namely A-09, A-17, A-08 and A-29 exhibited susceptible response to leaf rust of wheat whereas other four genotypes/successions such as A-24, A-20, K-11 and A-25 expressed moderately susceptible response to this disease. No genotype/succession/advanced line showed resistant, moderately resistant or immune response to leaf rust of wheat. It was concluded that screening of leaf rust of wheat for the source of resistance is the most economical management strategy for farmers.