Powdery Mildew Resistance Genes in Barley Varieties Bred for Human Consumption

Abstract

Barley has properties that can improve and maintain human health, but to upgrade the positive characteristics of grain, specific breeding programs are required. Consumption of chemically protected food is unpopular and, therefore, genetic sources of disease resistance to the most frequent diseases are essential. The aim of this contribution is to postulate genes for powdery mildew resistance in spring barley varieties bred for human consumption. One hundred and twenty-seven breeding strains selected from thirty-three crosses, commercial varieties AF Lucius and AF Cesar developed in the program, and eight other check varieties were tested with a set of numerous pathogen isolates. Fifteen known resistance genes were found including a nonspecific resistance Mlo detected in breeding lines selected from 21 crosses. For spring barley, the utilization of Mlo is generally recommended, but its importance in varieties earmarked for human consumption should be highlighted because alternative sources of genetically more complicated resistance, derived from distant relatives or based on the accumulation of minor genes, could be economically ineffective. The presented findings enable varieties for human consumption with fully effective and durable resistance to powdery mildew to be selected.