First Detection of Virulence in Puccinia triticina to Resistance Genes Lr27 + Lr31 Present in Durum Wheat in Mexico

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. was observed during the 2007-2008 crop season in the state of Sonora, Mexico on previously resistant durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) cvs. Jupare C2001 (Lr27 + 31) and Banamichi C2004. Single uredinial isolates were made from disease samples collected in the field and tested mostly on 'Thatcher' differentials at seedling or adult-plant stages (1). The isolates were identified as a new race, BBG/BP, resembling race BBG/BN predominant on durum wheat (2), but with additional virulences to resistance genes Lr27 + Lr31 in Gatcher and adult-plant resistance gene Lr12. The new race was also identified in samples collected from durum wheat in the State of Nuevo Leon during the same season. The avirulence/virulence formula of race BBG/BP is Lr1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3, 3ka, 3bg, 9, 13, 14a, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22a, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 35, 37/Lr10, 11, 12, 14b, 20, 23, 27 + 31, 33. Although virulences to Lr27 + Lr31 and Lr12 is known to occur in P. triticina races predominant on bread wheat (T. aestivum L.) (1), to our knowledge, this is the first report of such virulences in the pathogen population on durum wheat. Pure isolates of race BBG/BP are stored in the CIMMYT leaf rust collection. References: (1) R. P. Singh. Plant Dis. 75:790, 1991. (2) R. P. Singh et al. Plant Dis. 88:703, 2004.