Molecular detection of disease resistance genes to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) in wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars

A study was conducted to detect the presence of disease resistance genes to infection of wheat powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) in selected wheat cultivars from China using molecular markers. Genomic DNA of sixty cultivars was extracted and tested for the presence of selected prominent resistance genes to the fungal disease using molecular markers linked to Pm genes. Results showed that 17 cultivars were detected with Pm2 gene, 24 cultivars were detected with Pm4b gene, two cultivars were detected with Pm6 gene while 24 wheat cultivars were detected with Pm8 gene. Multiple genes were also detected in the study. Cultivars Xinxuan2039, Lankao008 and Zhengmai366 were detected with possible multiple Pm2+Pm4b+Pm8 genes while Yumai368 was detected with possible multiple genes Pm2+Pm4b+Pm6. The results of this study provide a significant contribution to breeding for resistance to wheat powdery mildew disease since the identified cultivars detected with Pm genes will contribute to further studies on improving wheat resistance to the disease. Also, the continued resistance of cultivars with designated resistance genes demonstrates that the responsible Pm genes are still effective in overcoming powdery mildew infections.Key words: Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, wheat powdery mildew, disease resistance, Pm genes, Triticum aestivum, molecular marker