|Mayer, M. - WA STATE UNIVERSITY|
|Tullu, A. - WA STATE UNIVERSITY|
|Kumar, J. - ICRISAT|
|Kaiser, W. - USDA-ARS (RETIRED)|
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: April 12, 1994
Publication Date: N/A
Interpretive Summary: The use of molecular markers closely linked to genes of interest is an effective approach to germplasm improvement. In this study we show that two markers are closely linked to a gene for resistance to fusarium wilt and that those markers can be used effectively for selection. This makes it possible to greatly reduce the costly and time-consuming task of screening the plant material in controlled conditions or in the field. Field screening is effective, but can only be conducted once per year. The use of molecular markers makes it possible to conduct screening at any time.
Technical Abstract: Chickpea is a staple crop in the Middle East, North Africa, Ethiopia, and South Asia. In those regions, the development of germplasm with resistance to fusarium wilt is a primary objective of germplasm improvement efforts. However, screening for resistance is costly and time-consuming and often unreliable. In the study reported at this conference, we describe the development of molecular markers for the resistance gene using a populatio of recombinant inbred lines. The markers were identified using PCR and selective genotyping. One of the markers was shown to be 5 cM from the resistance gene, while another marker was located between 7 and 8 cM from the gene. These markers can be effectively used to identify resistant lines in a plant improvement program.