Molecular breeding for Septoria tritici blotch resistance in wheat

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola, is one of the most important foliar diseases of wheat (T. aestivum spp., aestivum L.). Various practices such as crop rotation, application of fungicides, and deployment of genetic resistance have been utilised to control this disease and subsequently reduce yield losses. During the last 20 years, significant progress has been made in understanding host-pathogen interaction, inheritance of STB resistance, localisation of loci controlling STB resistance and identification of molecular markers associated with STB resistance in common wheat. We review the progress made on various aspects of molecular breeding for STB resistance especially on mapping and validation of qualitative and quantitative trait loci in common wheat