Response to Selection in F2 Populations of Two Wheat Crosses for Resistance to <i>Septoria tritici</i>

Abstract

Septoria tritici blotch is an important disease of wheat in many areas of the world that causes significant yield losses. Breeding for resistance to the disease is an important tool as a control measure. To efficiently breed wheat for resistance, an understanding of the inheritance of the resistance is required. This work is a part of a project to study the inheritance of the resistance to the disease. The aim was to determine the response to selection and realized heritability when selection for a reduction in percentage of pycnidial coverage was carried out in two wheat crosses. The response to selection and heritability showed moderate values. According to the results of these crosses, selection for resistance to the disease on a single plant basis could be successful but probably slow. Optimization of selection is discussed.