DArTseq-Based, High-Throughput Identification of Novel Molecular Markers for the Detection of Blackleg (<i>Leptosphaeria</i> Spp.) Resistance in Rapeseed

Abstract

Blackleg disease, caused by Leptosphaeria spp. fungi, is one of the most important diseases of Brassica napus, responsible for severe yield losses worldwide. Blackleg resistance is controlled by major R genes and minor quantitative trait loci (QTL). Due to the high adaptation ability of the pathogen, R-mediated resistance can be easily broken, while the resistance mediated via QTL is believed to be more durable. Thus, the identification of novel molecular markers linked to blackleg resistance for B. napus breeding programs is essential. In this study, 183 doubled haploid (DH) rapeseed lines were assessed in field conditions for resistance to Leptosphaeria spp. Subsequently, DArTseq-based Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) was performed to identify molecular markers linked to blackleg resistance. A total of 133,764 markers (96,121 SilicoDArT and 37,643 SNP) were obtained. Finally, nine SilicoDArT and six SNP molecular markers were associated with plant resistance to Leptosphaeria spp. at the highest significance level, p Arabidopsis thaliana, the identified markers hold great promise for application in rapeseed breeding programs.

Keywords

• blackleg resistance
• <i>Leptosphaeria</i> spp.
• <i>Leptosphaeria maculans</i>
• <i>Leptosphaeria biglobosa</i>
• molecular markers
• GWAS