Screening bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for yellow rust resistance and grain yield performance

Yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is one of the most destructive diseases of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), causing severe yield losses in Ethiopia. The development of resistant cultivars remain the most effective, economical, and environmentally friendly strategy for managing the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the reaction of 240 spring bread wheat lines and seven check varieties to yellow rust resistance with superior grain yield under field conditions. The genotypes were evaluated at KARC, MWU, and SARC using an augmented experimental design. Disease severity, coefficient of infection (CI) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), along with grain yield and related agronomic traits, were recorded. ANOVA revealed highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.001) among genotypes, environments, and genotype × environment interactions for disease and yield parameters. Wide variation in yellow rust response was observed across locations, with final disease severity ranging from 0 to 90%. CI and AUDPC showed strong positive correlations, while both parameters were significantly and negatively correlated with grain yield and thousand kernel weights. Based on combined disease resistance and yield performance, 19 genotypes were consistently identified as superior across all locations. The identified genotypes represent valuable sources of yellow rust resistance and can be utilized in wheat breeding programs.