P-259 - Cloning of gene resistant to Ascochyta pisi in peas and developing molecular markers for selecting the gene

Abstract Text: Ascochyta Blight, a seed-borne and foliar disease of peas poses a significant threat to its production. The disease is caused by four
necrotrophic fungal pathogens known as the Ascochyta complex, and A. pisi is the most prevalent species in Montana, causes up to 70% yield loss. Current disease management strategies include crop rotation, fungicides, and limited resistant cultivars due to few sources of resistance to the pathogens. From our high throughput screening, a cultivar Fallon has been found to be immune to A. pisi. A F3 mapping population from Fallon and a susceptible cultivar Stirling has been developed. Through progeny testing and genetic analysis, we found the immunity of Fallon is conferred by two recessive genes. My project will identify the polymorphisms associated with the resistance genes using molecular markers and whole-genome sequencing with the final goals of cloning and developing molecular markers for selecting the genes. Our research will facilitate resistance breeding to Ascochyta Blight and enrich our knowledge on the mechanism of plant resistance to necrotrophic pathogens.