Mapping resistance to leaf and stripe rusts in bread Triticum aestivum L. germplasm through GWAS and field phenotyping

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the phenotypic and molecular levels of resistance of Triticum aestivum L. (bread wheat) genotypes to leaf rust ( Puccinia triticina ) and stripe rust ( Puccinia striiformis ). Increasing climate pressures and the rapid evolution of pathogens threaten wheat production, underscoring the critical role of understanding genetic resistance mechanisms for sustainable solutions. The study evaluated 175 wheat lines sourced from CIMMYT for disease severity and infectio