Abstract
In order to incorporate slow rusting genes for rust resistance, parent lines were selected for breeding on the basis of high phenotypic uniformity and slow rusting history for race non-specific resistance. The plant material was advanced in filial generations from F1 to F5. Total 855 head rows (F6-generation) were selected from F5-generation and planted at Wheat Research Institute Faisalabad, a hot spot for wheat rusts. In primary evaluation, 112 lines were found resistant against both leaf and stripe rust and further assayed for the presence of race non-specific resistance genes through application of molecular markers. It was confirmed that the advance lines exhibiting race non-specific rust resistance possessed Lr34/Yr18, Lr46/Yr29 and Sr2/Yr30 genes alone or in combination from these lines. Results showed that 10 elite lines i.e. V-70003, V-70034, V-70039, V-70054, V-70064, V-70070, V-70076, V-70085, V-70103 and V-70104 showed the linkage of all the 3 slow rusting genes. None of these lines exhibited race specific or complete resistance but were of durable type providing resistance near immunity. All these lines are good source to be used in future breeding programs for enhancing resistance into the high yielding background wheat varieties through molecular or conventional breeding techniques, and are expected to contribute toward food security at national and global levels. (C) 2019 Friends Science Publishers