In major wheat-growing regions, rust diseases and common bunt significantly reduce wheat productivity, especially in years with favorable conditions for phytopathogen development and limited resistant cultivar use. Thus, the development of genetically resistant wheat cultivars carrying combinations of valuable resistance genes is an effective strategy to mitigate these losses. In this study, 156 advanced winter wheat breeding lines were evaluated for resistance to yellow (stripe) rust, leaf (brown) rust, and common bunt under an artificial infection background. Concurrently, molecular screening was performed using DNA markers to detect rust (Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Lr9, Lr34/Yr18, and Lr37/Yr17) and common bunt resistance genes (Bt8, Bt9, Bt10, Bt11, and Bt12). Based on the integrated analysis of phenotypic and DNA marker-based molecular data, fourteen and five lines resistant to common bunt and yellow rust, respectively, were identified, and alleles associated with resistance were also detected. Notably, one line (9909) exhibited high resistance to both rust diseases and common bunt. These selected advanced breeding lines represent promising candidates for the development of wheat cultivars with enhanced disease resistance, thereby supporting sustainable productivity in wheat-growing regions.

Бурая ржавчина, вызываемая паразитическим базидиальным грибом Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici, одно из наиболее вредоносных заболеваний яровой мягкой пшеницы как в Казахстане, так и в мире. Развитие ржавчиных болезней может приводить к значительному снижению урожайности восприимчивых сортов пшеницы. Основной проблемой селекции пшеницы является потеря эффективности генов устойчивости, что обусловлено появлением новых вирулентных рас патогенов. В данной статье представлены результаты оценки устойчивости сортов яровой мягкой пшеницы на стадии проростков и взрослого растения, а также результаты скрининга Lr генов устойчивости с помощью молекулярных маркеров. В результате проведенных опытов было отобрано 9 образцов, демонстрирующих высокий уровень устойчивости к обоим расам P. recondita – MKT/Q и TJT/R на стадии проростков. В полевых условиях за два года испытаний было отобрано 6 сортов, проявивших высокий уровень устойчивости к возбудителю. Использование молекулярных маркеров позволило идентифицировать носителей эффективных Lr генов устойчивости. По результатам молекулярного скрининга определено 4 носителя гена устойчивости Lr9; 5 носителей гена Lr10; 7 носителей Lr26; 7 носителей Lr34 и 2 носителя гена Lr46. Полученные результаты могут быть использованы в селекционных программах Казахстана.

Yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) is one of the most destructive diseases in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Kazakhstan, causing significant yield losses. Owing to the high susceptibility of widely cultivated varieties, the development of resistant genotypes remains a key objective for sustainable crop protection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance of wheat lines to yellow rust and to identify effective resistance genes. The research was conducted under artificial infection conditions using hybrid populations of the F2–F5 generations. The genotypes were assessed and ranked according to their resistance levels, and molecular markers were applied to detect resistance genes. Significant variability in disease response was observed. Analysis of variance revealed a strong effect of genotype on the infection coefficient (p < 0.001). Lines from later generations (F5) presented lower infection levels. Most genotypes carried the Yr5 gene, highlighting its major role in resistance, whereas Yr10 was less common. Yr15 and Yr18 were detected in some lines and were associated with partial (adult plant) resistance. Moderately susceptible forms predominated, indicating widespread quantitative resistance. However, highly resistant lines (CI = 0–1) and immune forms were identified, representing valuable material for breeding programs.

The article presents the results of immunological evaluation of spring wheat samples with Lr genes for resistance to leaf rust. The purpose of the performed studies was the immunological evaluation and selection of sources of spring wheat resistance to leaf rust. The bjects of the study were samples of spring wheat from nurseries 6th ILRTN-15 and 18KASIB-LR-RES. Its scientific novelty consisted in the identification of effective Lr genes of resistance of spring wheat to the Kazakh population of leaf rust. Immunological studies were carried out in 2019-2020 in the conditions of the Kostanay region against a natural background of infection of wheat and in the conditions of the Almaty region against an artificially infectious background of infection of spring wheat. As a result of screening in the conditions of the regions of our study, 70 varieties and lines with effective Lr genes were identified as resistant. Thus, varieties and lines with Lr genes selected for leaf rust resistance are recommended by us as sources of resistance to the local leaf rust population.

В связи с глобальным изменением климата на посевах озимой пшеницы часто развивается комплекс грибных болезней, среди которых наиболее вредоносными являются виды ржавчины – стеблевая ржавчина (Puccinia graminis), желтая ржавчина (P. striformis), листовая ржавчина (P. recondita), а также твердая головня (Tilletia caries). В Казахстане многие возделываемые сорта этой культуры восприимчивы к болезням. Отдельные сорта, устойчивые к одному виду болезни, поражаются другими видами. Несмотря на определенные успехи по созданию новых сортов озимой пшеницы, поиск болезнеустойчивых генотипов приобретает актуальность. В статье проводится оценка распространения грибных болезней на посевах озимой пшеницы, динамика развития популяции стеблевой, желтой, листовой ржавчины и твердой головни на современных отечественных сортах и селекционных линиях озимой пшеницы. Среди коллекционного и селекционного материалов озимой пшеницы выявлены генотипы с групповой устойчивостью к двум-трем видам болезни. С использованием современных инструментальных методов изучены биологические и хозяйственно-ценные признаки у выделенных болезнеустойчивых линий. Отобраны перспективные линии озимой пшеницы, обладающие высокими значениями зимостойкости, скороспелости, высоты растений, NDVI и показателей продуктивности.

Common bunt (CB), caused by Tilletia caries and Tilletia laevis, poses a significant threat to wheat grain quality and yield. In organic farming, the development of resistant genotypes is the most effective way to combat the pathogen. This study aimed to identify new resistance sources against CB in international nurseries: Winter Wheat Nursery from Central Asia (WWN-CA) and International Common Bunt Resistance Nursery (CBUNT-RN), for strengthening winter breeding programs in Kazakhstan. Germplasm panels were evaluated against CB under artificial infection conditions in southeastern Kazakhstan and genotyped with KASP markers associated with QTLs (QBt.ifa-1AL, QBt.ifa-1BS, QBt.ifa-7AL and QBt.ifa-7DS) conferring bunt resistance. Results of immunological experiments and genotyping revealed 7 and 11 genotypes in WWN-CA and CBUNT-RN, respectively, and resistance to CB. CB incidence negatively correlated with SL (r = −0.23), NSS (r = −0.31), NKS (r = −0.41), and GWS (r = −0.44) (all p ≤ 0.01), in WWN-CA. ANOVA confirmed these findings, in which a pronounced reduction in these yield components was observed between inoculated and control HS groups (p ≤ 0.05). The QTL QBt.ifa-1AL on chromosome 1A shows promise for MAS against CB. The novel genetic knowledge and resistant resources identified here represent a valuable tool to enrich Central Asian germplasm with new alleles of resistance genes to advance organic farming in Kazakhstan.