Dissecting the rust resistance in salt tolerant wheat germplasm

Wheat is one of the most important food crop cultivated across the globe which ensures sustainability and food security to massive world's population, but its production is threatened by both biotic factors like rust (caused by <i>Puccinia</i> species) and abiotic stresses such as salinity. In this study, 41 salt-tolerant wheat lines were screened for rust resistance at both seedling and adult plant stages. Rust resistance genes were characterized through gene matching technique and molecular markers analysis. <i>Yr2</i> was confirmed in 23 lines, while <i>Yr9</i> along with <i>Lr26</i>/<i>Sr31</i> were postulated in six lines with the help of SRT and molecular markers. Except for KRL2013, none showed complete resistance to all <i>Puccinia striiformis</i> f. sp. <i>tritici</i> (<i>Pst</i>). <i>Lr24/Sr24</i> genes were confirmed in HD2851 and KRL2029, and <i>Lr13</i> was detected in a maximum of 24 wheat lines, with varying reaction responses to different leaf rust pathotypes. Several lines carried additional resistance genes such as <i>Sr11</i>, <i>Sr28</i>, and <i>Lr68</i>. <i>Lr68</i> an effective race non-specific APR gene identified in 15 wheat lines with the help of <i>CsGs-STS</i> marker. Although many salt-tolerant wheat lines were susceptible to yellow rust during the seedling stage, a few lines showed APR in the years during 2020 and 2021. Three lines (KRL213, KRL219 and KRL238) showed complete resistance at adult plant stage to leaf rust. These findings offer insights into the genetic basis of rust resistance in salt-tolerant wheat, aiding breeding strategies.