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A Genetic Analysis of Leaf Rust Resistance in Red River 68 Wheat. Glen D. Statler, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58102; Phytopathology 62:866-869. Accepted for publication 1 February 1972. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-62-866.

Genes conditioning resistance to wheat leaf rust incited by Puccinia recondita were investigated in Red River 68, a semidwarf hard red spring wheat resistant to prevalent races of leaf rust. Red River 68 was crossed and backcrossed to the susceptible variety Thatcher for the genetic analysis. The reactions of the parents, F₁ seedlings, F₂ seedlings and adults, and F₃ families, were explained by assuming that a single dominant gene conferred resistance to leaf rust culture 70-15 (race 15). Two dominant, independently inherited genes conferred resistance to culture 70-1 (race 1). Rust reactions of backcross-F₁ plants and backcross-F₂ families gave additional support for the hypotheses. The two genes are designated LrRR-1 and LrRR-2. LrRR-1 conditions resistance to both culture 70-1 and 70-15. LrRR-2 conditions resistance to culture 70-1.