Assessment of Pm41 gene frequency in Turkish bread wheat germplasm

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, poses a high risk to worldwide wheat production, resulting in severe yield reductions. Resistance breeding provides a sustainable approach to managing this disease, with the Pm41 gene being pivotal in providing all-stage resistance. This research examined 96 cultivars of Turkish bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) from several Turkish research institutions for the Pm41 gene. PCR analysis indicated that 57% of the studied cultivars possessed the Pm41 gene. The highest detection rate of 89% was recorded in cultivars from Bahri Dağdaş International Agricultural Research Institute Directorate/Konya, whereas Field Crops Research Institute Directorate/Ankara exhibited a lesser frequency of 29%. The data demonstrate regional disparities in Pm41 presence. The observed Pm41 gene in over half of the cultivars suggests that Turkish wheat cultivars possess gene variants that might be important for resistance. This work underscores the significance of preserving genetic materials for finding novel variants of the resistance genes, which are essential for sustainable wheat cultivation and food security.