Resistance of European winter wheat germplasm to leaf rust

Seventy two wheat cultivars and breeding lines were tested for at least two years in up to ten European countries for resistance against leaf rust und er field conditions. In addition, seedling resistance was determined with l ocal races and with defined isolates to postulate resistance genes. Nine en tries (Batis, Capo, RE9001, RE9801, Terra, Toronit, Titlis, Barra, Beaufort ) were highly resistant at all locations, and were regarded as excellent so urces of resistance for breeding programs. Two thirds of the 72 entries pos sess adult plant and/or partial resistance. Cultivars with the gene Lr13 di ffered greatly in disease response showing that Lr13 alone does not provide adequate resistance in Europe, Gene Lr37 provided generally good adult pla nt resistance but seedlings with this gene were moderately susceptible. Man y of the wheat cultivars/lines investigated possess unidentified adult plan t resistance gene(s). Seedling resistance was attributable mostly to the ge nes Lr1, Lr3a, Lr3ka, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr17b, Lr-20 or Lr26.