Examining Ethiopian bread wheat genotypes for the novel sources of resistance to strip rust (Puccinia striformis f.sp.Tritici)
Abstract
A. Ayele*, G. Muche, D. Kassa and T. Negash
Stripe rust of wheat (yellow rust) is a regular production restraint in the majority of wheat growing areas of the world embracing Ethiopia. The trans boundary nature of the pathogen linked with its current virulence capabilities, favorable environmental conditions, continuous cultivation of susceptible varieties in stripe rust hot spot areas, and genetic uniformity of certain recently released ‘mega-cultivars’ were major driving forces in stripe rust epidemics worldwide including Ethiopia. Utilization of host plant resistance is the best and prosperous option to alleviate this epidemic rust disease, the most sustainable and profitable strategy to meet the needs of farmers and consumers. Thus, the present study was performed with aim of searching novel sources of Ethiopian bread wheat genotypes resistance to stripe (yellow) rust. A total of one thousand four (1004) genotypes exhibited 157 local cross, 663 CIMMYT introductions, 173 ICARDA sources and 11 commercial cultivars were screened for the resistance to yellow rust at both Bekoji and Meraro experimental sites which are yellow rust prone areas of Ethiopia. Out of 1004 tested materials only 5.5% genotypes exhibited 1.2%, 0.7% and 3.6%, local cross, ICARDA and CIMMYT introductions performed best resistance to yellow rust respectively at both Bekoji and Meraro testing sites.