Marker assisted breeding for common bunt resistance in new wheat varieties adapted to the Canadian Prairies

Dr. Ron Knox, AAFC-Swift Current

Start Date: December 15, 2020                   

End Date: May 15, 2024

AWC’s funding: $45,000

To our knowledge, there has been no concerted research effort made to boost bunt resistance by gene stacking in CWRS wheat. Previous bunt resistance was dependent on major genes like Bt10 and did not include quantitative genes or QTL. Gene pyramiding (stacking) is an approach used by plant breeders to assemble target genes of interest from different sources into breeding lines that could be registered as future varieties. The stacking of genes is achievable by using molecular markers.

The objectives of this project are: (1) to generate crosses of elite bunt susceptible CWRS lines with bunt resistance sources for marker-assisted selection;

(2) to deploy breeder friendly markers for bunt resistance in a marker-assisted selection of breeding lines, and

(3) to improve on and validate markers for future use. The project will generate wheat lines with combined genes for common bunt resistance that are eligible for registration.