VIEW ARTICLE

Genetics

An Interactive Computer-Based System for Comparing Cultures of Puccinia graminis and Postulating Sr Genotypes in Wheat. A. P. Roelfs, Research plant pathologist, Cereal Rust Laboratory, Agricultural Research, USDA, ARS, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108; F. D. Baker(2), and D. V. McVey(3). (2)Intergovernmental personnel act intern (operations research analyst), Statistical Applications Branch, Communications and Data Services, USDA, ARS, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108; (3)Research plant pathologist, Cereal Rust Laboratory, Agricultural Research, USDA, ARS, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108. Phytopathology 72:597-600. Accepted for publication 22 August 1981. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1981.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-72-597.

A computer-based system (IRIS) was developed to compare infection types produced by the interaction of cultures of Puccinia graminis on hosts with designated Sr resistance genes, and to postulate the rust resistance genotype of the host by the use of disease infection types. The user is guided by IRIS through Time Sharing Option command procedures to the appropriate program in a series of connected interactive Statistical Analysis System programs. IRIS is currently operational on the IBM 370/168 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington Computer Center in the South Building and can be accessed by remote terminal. IRIS sorts races and permits the user to compare infection types produced by all previously evaluated cultures on 45 “single” genes for resistance with newly evaluated cultures. Infection types of newly characterized cultures can be selectively added to the system, as well as infection types produced on newly characterized host resistance, Sr genes. The infection types produced by the 51 cultures most frequently used and the 46 characterized Sr genes were placed in a base file. The infection types in this file were used to postulate host resistance genotypes of host lines infected with some or all of the cultures.