Quantification of leaf tip necrosis, a trait linked with Lr34/Yr18

Abstract

The development of tip necrosis on flag leaves of 80 wheat cultivars was observed. The necrosis started appearing from tip of the flag leaf as a creamy-white streak, which progressed along both margins of leaf blade. The progress of necrosis along the blade margins of the same leaf was unequal. The final expression of tip necrosis on flag leaves of different cultivars was variable. This variation was quantified on 1 to 4 scale. The cultivars with flag leaves showing progress of necrosis from tip of the flag leaf to nearly 25 percent of leaf blade margin were scored as 1. The cultivars with flag leaves showing upto 50 percent and 75 percent margins covered with necrosis were scored 2 and 3, respectively. . Cultivars with necrosis covering entire leaf blade margin were scored as 4.