DNA Markers and Breeding for resistance to Ascochyta Blight in Chickpea

Abstract

In recent years the use of DNA markers has fostered a better understanding of plant pathogen populations and quickened practical plant breeding, including breeding for biotic stresses. However, many markers used in crops such as maize, rice, and Brassica spp. are ineffective in detecting polymorphism in chickpeas and its pathogens, such as Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Lab. Our collaborative project with NARS and the University of Frankfurt shows that microsatellite markers solve this problem. A symposium on "Application of DNA Fingerprinting in Crop Improvement: Marker-assisted Selection of Chickpeas for Sustainable Agriculture in the Dry Areas" was held at lCARDA, Aleppo, Syria for the purpose of reviewing recent achievements and formulating new strategies for our collaborative research. Consultants from various disciplines, including chickpea breeding and pathology also took part. During the symposium, it became clear that there is tremendous potential for the use of microsatellite markers in chickpea resistance breeding, as well as in the population genetics of pathogens. Future research should focus on pyramiding resistance genes to improve resistance in chickpeas, in which DNA markers could play a major role.