IN VITRO SCREENING AND CONFIRMATION OF MOLECULAR MARKERS IN CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.) GENOTYPES FOR FUSARIUM WILT RESISTANCE (RACE 1A) THROUGH SAND CORN MEDIUM

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major pulse crops in the Indian subcontinent and the Mediterranean regions. Chickpea wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Ciceris is the most important biotic factor that reduces productivity in India. In an earlier study - an allele specific associated primers CS27700 and SSR markers H3A12, TA 72, TA 144, TAA 55, SSR 14, H4G11, NCPGR 45, NCPGR 48, GSSR 18, GSSR 69, CaM 1402 and UASBC 4 were reported as linked to Fusarium wilt resistance (race 1A). However, validation of these markers is necessary for effective use in resistance breeding. Further, validation of these markers for wilt resistance was carried out by studying 11 diverse chickpea genotypes for wilt reaction and markers. The in vitro screening of all the genotypes for wilt reaction was carried out by sand corn medium. Out of 13 markers studied, two markers CS27700 and CaM 1402 were validated in 11 diverse chickpea genotypes and found to be consistence with the phenotypic reaction. These markers could be utilized in the future for marker assisted breeding for wilt resistance in chickpea.