Evaluation of leaf rust resistance and characteristics of Korean wheats

Leaf rust is the most widespread and destructive fungal disease, and outbreaks have always caused considerable losses in wheat yields. Thus, worldwide increases in wheat production depend on the development of leaf rust-resistant wheat varieties. In this study, we evaluated the resistance of forty Korean wheat cultivars to leaf rust at the seedling stage. Only two Korean wheats, Ol and Jonong, were resistant to leaf rust, whereas the remaining thirty-eight Korean wheats were susceptible to leaf rust. The Ol and Jonong varieties presented larger dry seed weights and higher antioxidant activity in response to leaf rust than the susceptible wheat varieties. No differences in β-1,3-glucanase activity or chlorophyll content between resistant and susceptible wheat varieties were observed. Overall, these results are important for the development of wheat varieties that are highly resistant to leaf rust and to understand the underlying mechanisms that confer leaf rust resistance.