Quantitative trait loci analysis for anthracnose resistance in a population derived from Andean varieties Bukoba and Kijivu of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Authors: KACHAPULULA, JOSEPHINE - University Of Zambia; KUWABO, KUWABO - University Of Zambia; HAMABWE, SWIVIA - University Of Zambia; NKANDELA, MUKUNI - University Of Zambia; MUKUMA, CHIKOTI - University Of Zambia; SOLER-GARZON, ALVARO - Washington State University; Miklas, Phillip; KAMFWA, KELVIN - University Of Zambia

Submitted to: Plant Breeding
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2025
Publication Date: 1/30/2025
Citation: Kachapulula, J., Kuwabo, K., Hamabwe, S., Nkandela, M., Mukuma, C., Soler-Garzon, A., Miklas, P.N., Kamfwa, K. 2025. Quantitative trait loci analysis for anthracnose resistance in a population derived from Andean varieties Bukoba and Kijivu of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Plant Breeding. 0: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbr.13264.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pbr.13264

Interpretive Summary: Anthracnose is a fungal disease that limits dry bean production worldwide. The disease is seed-borne so it is easily passed on through infected seed. Severe epidemics result in complete crop failure. The best control method is to deploy naturally occuring resistance genes into dry bean cultivars. This research conducted in Zambia investigates the inheritance of anthracnose resistance in two local landrace varieties of dry bean. 155 inbred lines from Bukoba x Kijivu population were screened against seven different anthracnose races that are present in Zambia. Six genes (QTL) were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, and 11. The genes identified on 1, 2, 4, and 11 are well known loci conferring resistance to anthracnose, whereas the genes on 5 and 10 are newly discovered. This information will help breeders to develop new cultivars which deploy the most effective genes and gene combinations for combating anthracnose disease in Zambia. New resistant cultivars developed will improve livelihoods of subsistence farmers in the region.

Technical Abstract: Anthracnose (ANTH) caused by the fungus (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) is a major disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions and candidate genes for resistance to race 19, 38, 51, 167, 263, 1050 and 1105 of C. lindemuthianum in a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from Andean genotypes Bukoba and Kijivu. A total of 155 F4:7 RILs and parents were evaluated for resistance to races 19, 38, 51, 167, 263, 1050 and 1105 using artificial inoculations. The population was genotyped with 11,292 SNPs, and Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis conducted. A total of six QTL for resistance to seven races were identified on chromosome Pv01 (ANT01BK), Pv02 (ANT02BK), Pv04 (ANT04BK), Pv05 (ANT05BK), Pv10 (ANT10BK) and Pv11 (ANT11BK). The R2 values for these QTL ranged from 5.2% (ANT05BK) to 70.1% (ANT01BK) suggesting that resistance to the seven races was controlled by both major and minor-effect QTL. Of the six QTL, ANT05BK was novel while the remaining overlapped with previously identified loci. ANT01.1, which provided resistance to two highly virulent races (1050 and 1105) overlapped with Co-1 while ANT04BK, which provided resistance to races 19, 51, 183 and 263 overlapped with loci Co-3, Co-15, Co-16, Co-y and Co-z. Clusters of resistance genes with NB-ARC domain were identified as candidate genes of the QTL ANT04BK and ANT11BK. Pyramiding ANT01BK and ANT04BK would provide effective resistance to races 19, 51, 167, 263, 1050 and 1105.