Introgression of Fusarium wilt resistance loci (foc 4) from WR315 to a widely adopted cultivar Annigeri-1 through phenotypic elimination

Fusarium wilt (FW) is one of the major constraints in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production. Therefore, a backcross program was undertaken to introgress resistance to FW targeting foc 4 loci predominantly found in Northern-Karnataka region in Annigeri-1, an elite but otherwise susceptible cultivar of chickpea. WR 315 a desi landrace resistant to multiple races of Fusarium oxysporum served as a donor. By two backcrosses and three rounds of selfing, 119 BC₂F₃ families were generated for A-1 × WR 315 cross. Systematic phenotypic elimination process could eliminate the susceptible lines, while retaining the resistant genotypes at every backcross and selfing generations. A total of eight groups were formed from 119 families based on their pedigree. Evaluation of these families under wilt sick plot could identify and 71 BC₂F₄ resistant families. Of these 71 resistant families, a total of nine families recorded more than 400 gm seed yield/family, six families (>300 gm), 17 families (>200 gm), 21 families (>100 gm) and 18 families (<100gm).