Validation of molecular markers linked to Fusarium wilt resistance (Foc 1) in recombinant inbred lines of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Molecular markers closely linked to Fusarium wilt (FW) resistance in chickpea were identified from earlier studies to validate them in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from JG62 (FW susceptible) and WR315 (FW resistant). The RILs were phenotyped for Foc race 1 over two seasons in a wilt sick field condition and wilt sick pots under greenhouse conditions. A total of 42 markers linked to FW resistance in chickpea were selected from earlier reports for validation. Out of 42 markers, 23 markers were polymorphic among parental lines, and hence, these markers were used for genotyping the mapping population. The genotyping data together with phenotyping data have identified 12 markers linked to wilt resistance by single‐marker analysis. The markers TA96, CS27, TA110 and TA59 were found consistently linked to FW resistance in this and previous studies. The composite interval mapping has identified two major resistance loci for Foc 1 LG1 (H4G11, CaM1402) and LG2 (H3A12, CS27) explaining 12.37%–76.76% of phenotypic variance. These validated markers will be useful in chickpea breeding.