Molecular Genetic Diversity in Iranian Populations of <i>Puccinia triticina</i>, the Causal Agent of Wheat Leaf Rust

Wheat leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina, is the most common and widely distributed wheat rust in the world. In order to study the genetic structure of leaf rust population 14 pairs of AFLP and 6 pairs of FAFLP primers evaluated on 86 isolates samples collected in Iran during spring of 2009. Results showed that almost all investigated isolates were genetically different and special pattern of AFLP allele’s that confirm high genetic diversity within leaf rust population was observed. Analyses showed, all provinces were classified into three major groups particularly similar clusters were found between then neighboring provinces. Rust spore can follow the migration pattern in short and long distances to neighbor in provinces. Results indicated that the greatest variability was revealed by 97% of genetic differentiation within leaf rust populations and the lesser variation of 3% was observed between the rust populations. These results suggested that each population was not completely identical and high gene flow has occurred among the leaf rust population of different provinces. The highest differentiation and genetic distance among the Iranian leaf rust populations was detected between leaf rust population in Sistan and Baluchistan and highest similarity was observed between in Ardabil provinces. The high pathogenic variability of leaf rust races in Ardabil and Northern Khorasan may be an indication that these two regions are the center of origin of pathogenic arability. Present study shows that leaf rust population in Iran is highly dynamic and variable.

Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Wheat Leaf Rust Resistance Gene <i>Lr34</i>in Iranian Wheat Cultivars and Advanced Lines

Lr34 is a vital gene in developing resistance to leaf rust, stripe rust, and powdery mildew of wheat. Providing simultaneous resistance to various pathogens has made this gene valuable in breeding for wheat resistance to many diseases. The present study investigates the csLV34 marker’s capability in diagnosing this locus in130 wheat commercial cultivars and advanced wheat lines from Iran, and assesses the impact of this gene on disease severity in field conditions. To assess the reactions of cultivars and lines which contained Lr34 under epidemic conditions of leaf rust, these cultivars were cultivated during the 2009 and 2010 cropping season. Of the 130 studied cultivars, 43 contained Lr34. Cultivars that were selected and studied in stress conditions had the most frequent presence of Lr34. It can be concluded that this gene plays a vital role in increasing the tolerance of cultivars under stress conditions. Lr34 seems to cause active transition of materials out of the cell. In addition to being resistant to several important diseases of wheat, Lr34 can increase tolerance to stresses such as salinity. Considering the calculated value for AUDPC (3%-440%/d) in cultivars containing Lr34, it seems that some cultivars contained additional resistance genes. The rate of infection in all cultivars, when presence of Lr34 was detected through the molecular marker, was lower than in other cultivars. Field results confirmed the results of the analysis using the csLV34b molecular marker.