Project Number: 5430-21000-006-07
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 14, 2004
End Date: Aug 31, 2009

Objective:
1. Advance the KB resistant germplasm in the field and greenhouse for the 2008/2009 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 2008/2009 KB nursery in India and Mexico. 3. Apply marker-assisted selection to KB resistance introgression program.

Approach:
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.