Why is this population important?
Parental lines
Amadina is a hard spring wheat from CIMMYT that has been reported to carry four or five minor genes for leaf rust resistance and has an intermediate level of resistance to stripe rust. Avocet is hard white spring wheat that is susceptible to leaf and stripe rust.
The map
The primary target for mapping is minor gene resistance for leaf rust. Resistance based on single major genes has been ephemeral and there are not sufficient undefeated major genes to realistically practice gene pyramiding and deployment of major genes. The goal of our mapping efforts is to identify markers for four or five minor genes for leaf rust resistance. The source of resistance has been heavily used in the crossing program for the last three years, providing a set of materials that allow utilization and verification of any marker-trait associations that are identified. Some of the "minor" genes for leaf rust have been known to also provide protection against stripe rust. We will also screen our population for stripe rust resistance and, if warranted, map it as well.
The KS program is also working with another population derived from a cross between KS01HW163-4 and Heine to study pre-harvest sprouting.