Identifying leaf rust resistance genes and mapping gene Lr37 on the microsatellite map of wheat.

Based on seedling resistance tests, five resistance genes (Lr10, Lr3, Lr13, Lr14a and Lr37) against leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) were identified in 16 cultivars of European winter wheat. STS and SCAR markers were used to verify the presence of the resistance genes Lr37 and Lr10 against leaf rust in cultivars, near-isogenic lines and segregating populations. The Lr37 gene is present in a small translocation from Triticum ventricosum Ces. (Aegilops ventricosa Tausch) and is tightly linked with resistance genes Yr17 and Sr38. The Lr37 gene was identified in the cultivars Kris, Clever, Slade, Apache, Caphorn, Lorraine, Balthasar, Renan and confirmed by two PCR markers. The F3 progenies of the crosses Kris (Lr37) X Nutka (Lr37 not present) were used for map construction. Two STS/SCAR markers specific for Lr37 were mapped in relation to nine polymorphic microsatellites on chromosome 2AS. The microsatellite marker Xgwm1176 mapped relatively close to the STS and SCAR markers for Lr37 with a linkage distance of 4.1 cM.