Virulence and resistance in the pathosystem leaf rust-wheat and the characterization of a prehaustorial resistance in Einkorn (Triticum monococcum)

Puccinia triticina f. sp. tritici is the causal agent of leaf rust in wheat. It is distributed worldwide and infections result in severe yield losses and reduced grain quality. Many leaf rust (Lr) resistance genes are introduced in commercial wheat cultivars but mostly have been overcome by virulent isolates. In order to identify new sources of resistance Triticum monoccum accessions were screened and one accession was identified which showed resistance against all leaf rust isolates which are virulent against Lr-genes present in commercial wheat cultivars. In order to get more detailed information on this resistance, it was characterized by microscopic and molecular analyses and the genetics of this resistance was investigated in progenies derived from a cross with a susceptible Triticum boeticum accession.