Molecular marker for screening fusarium wilt resistance in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh]

Fusarium wilt is a serious disease in pigeonpea which causes severe yield loses. Screening of 88 lines along with ICPL 87119 and ICPL 8863 resistant checks for fusarium wilt under field conditions and artificial inoculation identified 14 lines having 0–20% plant mortality and grouped under 0–5 disease score. PCR reactions using different primers with genomic DNA of these lines resulted in identification of six resistant sources with specific amplification for resistance to wilt at 920bp with OPGO8 primer. Considering the wilt reaction and resistance linked RAPD marker, it is possible to identify the new resistance sources in a short time and they can be utilized in breeding programme or for direct release.