Breeding New Triticale Varieties with Improved Resistance to Powdery Mildew

Between 2008 and 2011, a French collaborative breeding program involving public research institutes, breeders, and technical centers addressed the recent emergence of powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) on triticale. The project monitored disease evolution across multiple sites and seasons, characterized pathogen virulences on differential wheat genotypes, identified effective wheat resistance genes (including Pm1-Chopin allele, Pm3d, Pm4, MlTo, MlSo), and evaluated triticale germplasm from wheat × rye crosses for resistance. Researchers also identified potential SSR (microsatellite) molecular markers from literature and segregating populations. The study yielded promising resistant genotypes and markers while highlighting remaining research needs.