Verification of an allele specific associated primer with wilt susceptibility in commonly used parental lines of chickpea

Abstract

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend. Fr. f sp. ciceris (Padwick) is the most destructive and wide spread disease of chickpea (Gicer arietinum L.) causing significant yield losses in India. The screening of gerrnplasm has led to identification of a large number of resistant genotypes/cultivars [1, 2]. Screening in wilt sick plots although efficient [2], maintenance of wilt sick plots in all the centers for selection of resistant genotypes is tedious. Therefore, efforts are being made to develop molecular markers. An allele specific associated primer (ASAP) for susceptibility was identified [3]. Although this primer typically amplifies a single fragment linked to the allele for susceptibility to fusarium wilt, a few recombinant lines that were resistant produced the band. It is essential to understand the association between this maker and wilt susceptibility in the commonly used parental genotypes of chickpea breeding programmes in the country.