Resistance of spring wheat Triticum aestivum L. to leaf rust under the conditions of the Central Non-Black-Earth region

The results of experimental studies on field resistance of spring common wheat ( Triticum aestivum L . ) varieties to leaf rust in the Central Region of the Non-Black Soil Zone of Russia were described. Fifteen spring wheat varieties were evaluated under field conditions from 2021 to 2024. The study aimed to analyze the yield performance of these varieties depending on the effectiveness of resistance genes (Lr genes) against leaf rust in the Central Non-Black Earth region of Russia. A search for relevant publications and identification of Lr genes in the varieties was conducted using databases such as Wheatpedigree, Scopus, NCBI, PubMed, Google Scholar, RSCI, and Cyberleninka. Resistance to brown rust was assessed using the 9-point VIR scale. The results showed that in years with favorable weather conditions from sprouting to heading, resistance to leaf rust positively influenced grain yield. However, during drought periods, this resistance had no significant effect on yield. Lr resistance genes in the studied varieties provided relatively effective protection in years with low infection pressure, but were insufficient during epidemic years. Therefore, more effective genes or their combinations should be considered when developing new varieties for the Central Non-Black Earth region of Russia. The most effective resistance genes identified from 2021 to 2024 were Lr19 + Lr6 (from the donor variety Tulaykovskaya 108) and Lr21 (from the donor variety Granny).