Evaluation of Seedling Resistance and Marker Assisted Selection for Leaf Rust (Puccinia triticina) Resistance in Pakistani Wheat Landraces, Cultivars and Advanced Lines

Leaf rust is amongst major biotic constraints of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) having ability to cause substantial yield reductions worldwide. A continuous exploration for novel sources resistance pre-requisite its management. Objectives study were conduct evaluation 112 Pakistani landraces and 48 advanced lines/ cultivars at seedling stage with total 10 virulent pathotypes leaf rust, 3 from Pakistan 7 U.S.A detect closely linked markers Lr10, 16, 34 67 genes through marker-assisted selection (MAS). Findings revealed most showed lack stage. Only accessions 11 lines found highly resistant against all Pakistan. Similarly, exhibited high while variability in was recorded tested USA. Marker-assisted Lr i.e. Lr16, Lr34 Lr67 present various frequencies. Highest frequency observed followed by Lr16 lowest Lr10. These genetic resources identified effective USA are potential improvement (LR) can be utilized as valuable material breeding cultivars.