Molecular characterization of parental lines and validation of SNP markers for anthracnose and angular leaf spot in common bean

The implementation of molecular tools that help the early selection of genotypes carrying target alleles increases efficiency and reduces the time and costs of breeding programs. The present study aimed the molecular characterization and validation of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) targeting disease resistance alleles for assisted selection. A total of 376 common bean lines with contrasting responses for anthracnose and angular leaf spot resistance were used, as well as 149 F 2 plants from the cross between BRS Cometa × SEL 1308 (carrying the Anthracnose resistance gene Co-4 2 ). Seven of the ten SNP markers evaluated showed potential for assisted breeding: snpPV0025 ( Phg-2 ), snpPV0027 ( Phg-5 ), snpPV0079 ( Phg-5 ), snpPV0046 ( Co-u ), snpPV0068 ( Co-4 2 ), snpPV0070 ( Co-4 2 ) and snpP8282v3-817 ( Co-4 2 ). Markers snpPV0070 and snpP8282v3-817 showed high efficiency of selection (99.7 and 99.8%, respectively). These markers exhibit great potential to assist in the selection at different stages of the breeding program and may be readily incorporated into marker-assisted selection.