Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks) resistance genes in wheat cultivars registered in the Czech Republic

Leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks— Pt ) occurs regularly in the Czech Republic and can inflict considerable yield losses on wheat, particularly in the southeastern part of the country in warm and dry years. Knowledge of resistance genes ( Lr ) is useful in the breeding, particularly when combined with data on virulence in the rust population. Seeds of 56 winter wheat cultivars registered in the Czech Republic were obtained from the Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture. All cultivars were tested by molecular markers to postulate the presence of Lr1 , Lr10 , Lr24 , Lr26 , Lr28 , Lr34 , Lr37 and Lr68 . In total, 39 cultivars were also tested for resistance to leaf rust in the field trials. The Lr37 gene had the highest proportion, occurring in 24 tested varieties. The most effective was the Lr24 gene, which was carried in various combinations with other Lr genes by cultivars Athlon, Futurum, Sheriff, Hyfi, Asory, Campesino, Gordian. Also the gene Lr28 was mostly highly effective.