From Genes to Fields: Advancing Wheat Resistance to Fungal Diseases

Daniel Cristina, Matilda Ciucă, Alina Turcu, Elena-Laura Conţescu,
Violeta Ionescu, Alexandru Dumitru

National Agricultural Research-Development Institute Fundulea

Keywords: wheat, disease resistance, MAS, genes, KASP.

Abstract: Durable genetic resistance to fungal diseases remains a major priority in wheat breeding programs worldwide. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) and gene pyramiding are essential tools for accelerating genetic improvement, enabling precise introgression and combination of multiple resistance genes. In this study, we assessed the molecular profiles of a diverse set of parental wheat genotypes (cultivars, breeding lines and synthetic hexaploid wheat) used in a resistance-focused improvement program targeting brown rust, yellow rust, stem rust, common bunt, Fusarium head blight, and Septoria leaf blotch.
Molecular screening revealed substantial allelic variation among the parental forms, allowing the identification of complementary resistance sources. These genotypes were subsequently used in targeted crossing schemes designed to combine multiple resistance loci. The resulting populations were subjected to  MAS-based selection to track the presence and accumulation of favorable alleles. Several derived lines successfully pyramided multiple resistance genes, including combinations of three or more rust resistance loci together with genes or QTLs conferring resistance to bunt, Fusarium, and/or Septoria.
The results demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating molecular diagnostics with conventional breeding to develop wheat lines with broad-spectrum and potentially durable resistance. This study highlights the critical role of MAS and gene pyramiding in accelerating the development of improved germplasm and supports their continued implementation in wheat disease-resistance breeding programs.