| Some aspects of backcrossing for disease resistance
in cereals A. T. PUGSLEY Agricultural Research Institute, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia It would appear that the time has arrived when consideration should be given to the establishment of an internationally recognized centre vested with the responsibility of maintaining " type " material of known genetic constitution closely paralleling that already operative for genetic stocks ob maize. With respect to disease resistance the F.A.O. world catalogue of genetic stocks falls far short of modern cereal breeders' requirements and I should imagine has been little used by them in their work. The classification of stem rust resistance on a 0-9 scale without reference to the identity of the physiologic races involved is far too vague for devotees of backcrossing. A much more satisfactory system could be inaugurated if some center, actively engaged in cereal work, would take upon themselves the task of assembling such material as is described in the literature from time to time. In this way authenticity of material could be guaranteed and, because the scheme would commence in a small way, there would be scope for modification and development as time went on. (Extract from the J. Aust. Inst. Agric. Sci., 21, 1955). |