Identification, Validation, and Introgression of Rust Resistance Genes for the Development of Climate-Resilient Wheat Varieties in Ethiopia

• Cereal: Wheat
• Abiotic Stressor: Disease
• Principal Investigators: Negash Geleta and Habmariam Zegeye, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research

This project focuses on identifying, validating, and deploying durable yellow rust resistance genes to strengthen climate-resilient wheat breeding in Ethiopia. A diverse panel of 500–700 bread wheat populations will be assembled from multiple sources, including locally adapted breeding materials, resistant parental lines, and international germplasm obtained from Kenya, EIB, AGG, CIMMYT, and ICARDA. These populations will be systematically evaluated under both field and greenhouse conditions to identify resistance against prevailing yellow rust pathotypes. Field phenotyping will be conducted in disease hotspot locations using standard rust screening protocols, including spreader-row planting, artificial inoculation, disease assessment, and standardized scoring techniques.

To uncover the genetic basis of resistance, the project will combine advanced genomic and molecular breeding approaches with traditional pathology screening. Diverse wheat populations will be planted for large-scale leaf sampling and DNA extraction, followed by genotyping using mid-density SNP markers and whole-genome sequencing of selected parental and foundational lines. These genomic resources will support the identification of resistance-associated loci and the development of breeder-friendly KASP markers for yellow rust resistance. Selected resistant lines will undergo field validation against recurrent yellow rust pathotypes to confirm the effectiveness and durability of resistance under Ethiopian conditions. Marker-assisted evaluation will further accelerate the identification and deployment of elite resistant germplasm.

The key outputs of the project will include validated yellow rust–resistant wheat lines, identified resistance-associated genomic regions, breeder-friendly KASP markers, and improved breeding populations carrying durable resistance alleles. The project will also generate genomic and phenotypic datasets to support future wheat improvement efforts, along with selected parental lines for resistance gene introgression. By combining field screening, greenhouse phenotyping, SNP genotyping, whole-genome sequencing, marker development, and crossing, the project will provide broadly applicable genetic resources and breeding insights that can accelerate the development of high-performing, disease-resistant wheat varieties across diverse wheat-growing regions in Ethiopia and worldwide.