Molecular markers for breeding the new pea cultivars resistant to powdery mildew

  • V. A. Zhukov
  • A. S. Sulima
  • A. I. Zhernakov
  • O. Y. Shtark
  • A. Y. Borisov
  • I. A. Tikhonovich

Abstract

Aims. Powdery mildew is economically important disease of pea (Pisum sativum L.) as it causes severe losses of yield worldwide. Environmental friendly approach to control powdery mildew, in contrast to chemical protection, is use of the resistant cultivars. Mutations in pea gene PsMLO1 that confer resistance to powdery mildew can be used as molecular markers for breeding resistant cultivars. Methods. Mutant allelic variants of PsMLO1 were sequenced in resistant pea cultivars and lines in order to detect SNPs and/or indels suitable for creation PCR-based molecular markers. Results. The system of 3 primers was designed that allows one-step PCR-based identification of natural mutant allele PsMLO1 with transposon insertion in reading frame that presents in resistant pea cultivar Franklin. Conclusions. This molecular marker can be used for breeding resistant cultivars when taking cultivar Franklin (as well as related lines and cultivars) as donors of powdery mildew resistance trait.

Key words: Pisum sativum L., powdery mildew, molecular markers, resistance, breeding.