Project Number: 5430-21000-006-08
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 09, 2004
End Date: Aug 31, 2009

Objective:
1. Continue to make crosses between KB resistant germplasm and elite adapted breeding lines from regional wheat breeding programs in 2008/2009. 2. To advance the KB resistant germplasm in the field and greenhouse in 2007/2008 and perform selection for agronomic type. 3. Submit advanced lines for KB screening to CIMMYT and PAU in 2008/2009.

Approach:
Resistant varieties will be an important component of an integrated strategy to control 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.