PREEMPTIVE BREEDING TO CONTROL WHEAT RUSTS

Pre-emptive or anticipatory breeding for resistance is breeding for resistance to future pathotypes. It is assumed that these will be derivatives of currently frequent pathotypes that need to mutate with respect to single host resistance genes in order to attack widely-grown cultivars. Success in this approach depends on relevant knowledge of the pathogenicity phenotypes and host resistance genes that occur throughout the wheat-growing areas. Because durability of resistance cannot be assumed, resistance breeding strategies are usually supported with the maintenance of genetic diversity to provide buffering against extreme crop losses in the event of significant pathogenic changes.