Inheritance of Resistance to Stem Rust (Puccinia graminissubsp.graminicola) in Six Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) Crosses

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Abstract
Differences were found among four perennial ryegrass parental sources for stem rust reactions. Frequency distributions based on reaction patterns among segregating populations suggested resistance was predominantly quantitatively inherited with minor and possibly some major genes. There was considerable genetic variability for resistance between parental lines as evidenced by different reaction patterns among progeny. Transgressive segregation toward susceptibility and slow-rusting types were evident. Selection for resistance would be more effective in the boot stage before anthesis (when higher heritability estimates were observed). Seedling reactions differed from adult plant responses, indicating that selection for resistance may be more successful if carried out in later growth stages. Results indicated that cultivars with greater and more durable resistance to stem rust could be obtained from these parental sources.