Resistance of European winter wheat germplasm to leaf rust

Seventy two wheat cultivars and breeding lines were tested for at least two years in up to ten European countries for resistance against leaf rust under field conditions. In addition, seedling resistance was determined with local races and with defined isolates to postulate resistance genes. Nine entries (Batis, Capo, RE9001, RE9801, Terra, Toronit, Titlis, Barra, Beaufort) were highly resistant at all locations, and were regarded as excellent sources of resistance for breeding programs. Two thirds of the 72 entries possess adult plant and/or partial resistance. Cultivars with the gene Lr13 differed greatly in disease response showing that Lr13 alone does not provide adequate resistance in Europe, Gene Lr37 provided generally good adult plant resistance but seedlings with this gene were moderately susceptible. Many of the wheat cultivars/lines investigated possess unidentified adult plant resistance gene(s). Seedling resistance was attributable mostly to the genes Lr1, Lr3a, Lr3ka, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr17b, Lr-20 or Lr26.