2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Advance the KB resistant germplasm in the field and greenhouse for the 2007/2008 growing season and perform selection for agronomic type and foliar disease resistance on F3 to F5 populations. 2. Submit seed for KB testing in the 2007/2008 KB nursery in India and Mexico. 3. Apply marker-assisted selection to KB resistance introgression program. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Resistant varieties will be an important component of an integrated strategy to control Karnal bunt (KB). The use of resistant varieties is the most economical, sustainable, and long lasting means of control. There is variation in reaction in existing varieties and breeding lines, but the level of resistance is low. Since we do not have enough resistance in our adapted germplasm, we need to obtain it from exotic sources. The wheat breeding programs at USDA-ARS, KSU, OSU, and TAMU have made single and three-parent crosses with KB resistant material from India and CIMMYT. F2 and F3 generations of these populations are now being grown and we will begin to derive lines this season. Resources are needed to expand the crossing program and do initial field evaluations for agronomic type. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Kansas State University, Department of Agronomy. Additional details of this research can be found in the report for the parent project 5430-21000-005-00D, Genetic Enhancement for Resistance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Hard Winter Wheat. Resistant varieties could be an important component of an integrated strategy to manage Karnal bunt (KB). Since we do not have enough resistance in our adapted germplasm, we are introgressing it from exotic sources. Thirty lines from advanced nurseries were submitted for testing in the 2006-07 cycle in Mexico and India. Most of the lines tested in this cycle did not have known sources of resistance in the pedigree, but are advanced materials in the K-State breeding program. Nine lines had less than 5% Karnal bunt infection and will be sent back for KB evaluation in the 2007-08 cycle. More than forty fixed lines that are derived from CIMMYT KB-resistant sources were evaluated for agronomic traits in 2007. TX00M5009 is an experimental line that has demonstrated moderate resistance to KB over multiple years. Approximately 75 lines derived from TX00M5009 were evaluated in yield trials in 2006-07. Those with acceptable agronomic and quality characteristics will be advanced in the breeding program and submitted for KB evaluation. Sixteen populations with W485/HD29 as the resistant donor were subjected to selection in 2007. Desirable types were retained and will be used to derive new lines starting in 2008. Additional crosses with W485/HD29 were also made in 2006-07. ADODR monitoring activities included phone calls/conference calls, e-mails, professional meetings.