Molecular markers for four leaf rust resistance genes introgressed into wheat from wild relatives

Near-isolines carrying four different genes for resistance to leaf rust were used to find linked molecular markers for these genes. Clones used to detect polymorphism were selected on the basis of the reported chromosomal location of the resistance genes. Both Lophopyron-derived resistance genes, Lr19 and Lr24, cosegregated with eight molecular markers assigned to chromosomes 7DL and 3DL, respectively. One clone cosegregated with Lr9 and two closely linked RFLP markers were found for Lr32, mapping at 3.3 +/- 2.6 and 6.9 +/- 3.6 cM from the resistance gene. The Lophopyron-chromatin segment in isolines carrying chromosomes 7E (Lr19) and 3E (Lr24) replaced a large portion of chromosome 7D and the distal portion of chromosome 3D, respectively. Clones assigned to these chromosomes on the basis of aneuploid analysis hybridized to 7E and 3E segments, thus confirming cytological results that these introgressed segments represent homoeologous chromosomes. The linked RFLP markers could be used to identify the resistance genes and generate new combinations in breeding populations, especially in the absence of disease in the environment or when virulence is lacking.