Utilizing genetic resources to develop yellow rust-resistant and high-yielding wheat genotypes across diverse environments
摘要
This study utilized diverse genetic resources to evaluate 50 wheat genotypes for yellow rust resistance and grain yield in field experiments conducted at Hazara University, Mansehra (HUM), and Agriculture Research Station, Swabi, as well as seedling tests performed at the Cereal Disease Research Institute (CDRI), Sub-station Murree, during the 2022–2023 cropping seasons. The genotypes comprising advanced breeding lines and check cultivars demonstrated significant variation in resistance, with 17 genotypes showing complete resistance at Mansehra but varying susceptibility at Swabi, highlighting location-specific resistance dynamics. Genotypes HUM-22-10, HUM-22-11, and HUM-22-47 exhibited consistent high resistance across both locations, making them promising candidates for breeding programs. The seedling test for screening against six yellow rust isolates revealed genotype-specific responses, with HUM-22-10, HUM-22-11, and HUM-22-13 showing strong resistance to all isolates, indicating the presence of major resistance genes derived from diverse genetic sources. Grain yield analysis revealed significant variation, with HUM-22-10 achieving the highest mean yield of 4233 kg ha−1, followed by HUM-22-06 (4213 kg ha−1) and HUM-22-07 (3881 kg ha−1). The study underscores the importance of integrating genetic resources to enhance both yield and disease resistance. The genotypes HUM-22-10, HUM-22-11, and HUM-22-47, with their dual attributes of high yield and disease resistance, emerge as ideal candidates for sustainable wheat improvement programs. This research emphasizes the critical role of genetic resource utilization and multi-environment testing in developing durable, high-performing wheat cultivars.