Impact of Leaf and Stem Rust Resistance Levels on Productivity Traits of Spring Bread Wheat Varieties
Zotova L. Gajimuradova A. Zhumalin A. Serikbay D. Abdulloyev F. Babkenova S. Orazbayev S. Savin T.
January-February 2026Unique Scientific Publishers
International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences
2026#15Issue 1308 - 318 pp.
Wheat rust, both leaf and stem rust, is a major threat to global food security because of its severe effect on crop yields. Although considerable advances have been made in its epidemiology, resistance mechanisms, and pathogen biology, many wheat varieties do not express the same degree of resistance under natural field conditions as under artificial inoculation. This research aimed to evaluate the structural and molecular resistance traits of 11 Kazakh-selected wheat varieties under natural infection in the field. These varieties are widely cultivated in Kazakhstan and play a significant role in regional food production. The study assessed resistance levels and productivity traits of the selected wheat varieties under natural infection conditions. Environmental factors and infection pressure were analyzed in relation to structural plant traits. Correlations between plant height and productivity components such as yield, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike, and thousand kernel weight were evaluated. Molecular markers for resistance genes Lr21, Lr24, and Lr35 were also examined in relation to yield-related characteristics. Findings indicated inconsistent resistance levels to leaf and stem rust among varieties despite similar numbers of resistance genes in their genomes. Environmental conditions and infection pressure influenced structural traits, with negative correlations observed between plant height and yield (-0.54), grains per spike (-0.33), grain weight per spike (-0.60), and thousand kernel weight (-0.41). The resistance genes Lr21, Lr24, and Lr35 were associated with important yield traits such as grain weight, spike length, and grain number. These results emphasize the importance of resistance evaluation under natural infection, especially for varieties critical to food security. While further research with larger sample sizes is needed, the preliminary screening revealed variability in resistance levels and their association with yield formation. This study suggests the potential to reduce chemical control by selecting naturally resistant varieties adapted to field environments.
Genetic markers , Leaf rust , Lr , Resistance genes , Spring bread wheat , Sr , Stem rust
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S. Seifullin Kazakh AgroTechnical Research University, Astana, Kazakhstan
A.I. Barayev Research and Production Center for Grain Farming, Akmola Region, Nauchnyi, Kazakhstan
S. Seifullin Kazakh AgroTechnical Research University
A.I. Barayev Research and Production Center for Grain Farming
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