Determination of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici races of wheat in Turkey

Stem rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), is one of the most important diseases limiting wheat production in Turkey. Surveys were conducted in 2007 and 2008 in order to determine the races of the pathogen present in Turkey. In 2007, it was found that 91 (43%) out of 207 inspected wheat fields were infected with stem rust, and in 2008, it was found that 61 (25%) out of 242 inspected fields were infected. From these samples, 40 single pustule isolates were obtained. The North American differential set, which includes 20 genotypes with different resistance genes, was employed to identify the races present. Seedling tests were used for race analysis under greenhouse conditions. A total of 21 different stem rust races were found. Pgt race TKTTC, which was found in 11 Pgt isolates, was the most common race. Genotypes possessing at least 1 of the Sr24, Sr31, Sr26, and Sr27 resistance genes showed low infection types for 40 Pgt isolates. The resistance genes determined in this study could be used in breeding programs for developing stem rust-resistant genotypes.