# Development of Wheat Lines Pyramiding the Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Gene Fhb1 with the Stripe Rust Resistance Genes Yr18, Yr28, and Yr36

## TL;DR

Scientists developed wheat lines with strong resistance to two fungal diseases by combining multiple resistance genes using marker-assisted selection.

## Contribution

The study introduces wheat lines with pyramided resistance genes Fhb1, Yr18, Yr28, and Yr36 for durable disease resistance.

## Key findings

- 168 F6 wheat lines were developed through marker-assisted selection.
- 19 lines showed high resistance to stripe rust and carried the Fhb1 gene.
- Selected lines have potential as new germplasms for durable wheat resistance.

## Abstract

Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) and Fusarium head blight (FHB; caused by Fusarium graminearum) are fungal diseases that endanger wheat productivity; however, by pyramiding disease-resistant genes, the long-term resistance of wheat can be strengthened. In this study, a multi-parent pyramiding hybrid population was constructed using marker-assisted selection (MAS). After multiple generations of breeding, 168 F6 lines were obtained. By combining molecular marker genotyping, field resistance identification, and agronomic trait evaluation, 19 lines with excellent agronomic traits were selected, which not only showed high resistance to stripe rust but also carried Fhb1 genes, some of which have the potential to be developed into new germplasms and offer important genetic resources for the breeding of wheat with long-lasting and broad-spectrum resistance.