Validation of SNP markers associated with ascochyta blight resistance in pea

Abstract

Ascochyta blight of pea is an important disease that can cause severe yield loss. Our previous studies identified several closely linked single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with ascochyta blight resistance. The objective of this study was to validate SNP markers in 36 cultivars from the Saskatchewan pea regional variety trial. Ascochyta blight scores ranged from 1.0 to 9.0 at the physiological maturity stage under field conditions across the 25 site–years in Saskatchewan from 2013 to 2017. Based on Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR assays, six SNP markers were used for an association study. SNP markers RGA-G3Ap103, PsC8780p118, and PsC22609p103 were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with ascochyta blight scores in 2013 and 2016 at Saskatoon. PsC8780p118 was significantly associated with ascochyta blight scores at Milden in 2014 and Rosthern in 2017. Furthermore, RGA-G3Ap103 showed significant association at Milden in 2014. Based on association studies, RGA-G3Ap103 and PsC8780p118 may have some potential as markers for pea breeding.