Characterization of Fusarium Wilt Resistance in Diverse Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes using Established Molecular Markers

Chickpea cultivation is much affected due to wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris race 1. Two major loci H₁ and H₂ determine the disease reaction to race 1 of this pathogen in chickpea. Dominant alleles at both loci (H₁_H₂_) result in early wilting reaction, homozygous recessive at either of the loci (H₁_h₂h₂ or h₁h₁H₂_) results in late wilting reaction while homozygous recessive at both loci (h₁h₁h₂h₂) leads to resistance. An Allele Specific Associated Primer (ASAP), CS-27₇₀₀ and an RAPD marker, A07C₄₁₇ are linked to susceptibility at H₁ and H₂ loci, respectively. In the present study sixteen diverse genotypes from different genetic backgrounds were screened using the above two established molecular markers. The ASAP marker CS-27₇₀₀ linked to H₁ locus was present in five genotypes viz., ICC-12236, Karikadli, ICC-12434, JG-62 and ICC-12429. The RAPD marker A07C₄₁₇, linked to H₂ locus, was present in all genotypes except in ICC-12249, WR 315 and ICC-12236. The absence of both the markers, CS-27₇₀₀ and A07C₄₁₇ (h₁h₁h₂h₂) indicated the resistant reaction in the genotypes ICC-12249 and WR-315. While presence of both the markers (H₁H₁H₂H₂) in Karikadli, ICC-12434, JG-62 and ICC-12429 indicated the early wilting reaction and presence of either of the markers (H₁_h₂h₂ or h₁h₁H₂_) in other genotypes (A-1, ICCV-2, ICC-96030, ICC-4958, ICC-96029, BG-256, K-850, ICC-12237, ICC-12252, ICC-12236) indicated late wilting reaction. Thus, these established molecular markers at DNA level facilitated easy and early identification of susceptible or resistant lines. Utilization of these markers in plant breeding will be complementary to the conventional breeding which can hasten up its progress.