Mating Type Profiling and SSR-Based Genetic Diversity Analysis of Iranian Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri Causing Wilt in Chickpea

Chickpea wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC) is the most important soil borne disease of chickpea in Iran and many other chickpea growing zones worldwide. In this study, a total of 65 FOC isolates have been collected from West of Iran (Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces) and characterized for pathogenicity, mating type alleles and genetic diversity analysis by genic- and EST-SSR molecular markers. All the FOC isolates showed virulent pattern and 86% of them were moderately virulent (21-50% of wilt damage). Mating type assay using specific PCR-based primers showed that 60% of FOC isolates possess MAT-1 allele and 40% possess MAT-2 allele. Genetic diversity of FOC isolates using 10 SSR markers revealed high genetic diversity within FOC populations with an average of 3 alleles per locus. Cluster analysis divided FOC isolates into four groups. Isolates from Kurdistan were grouped distinctly from those collected from Kermanshah province. Results of present study will be useful for breeders to design effective breeding strategies and developing necessary integrated management for Fusarium wilt in chickpea. (C) 2020 Friends Science Publishers