The developed of a pair of NILs (Near Isogeneic Lines) for flowering time allowed to identify new targets associated this trait. In the main figure above, a pair of chickpea NILs is presented, at flowering time with early genotype showing flowers and late genotype showing no flowers. The gene CaELF3a, in chromosome 5 (Ca5), was identified as a prominent candidate, together wiht other homologs of flowering-related genes in Arabidopsis. This study unveil new insights into mechanisms governing flowering time in chickpea. It is being the basis for developing new KASPTM markers to accelerate marker-assisted breeding in chickpea programs.
Ascochyta blight, caused by the fungal pathogen Ascochyta blight (AB), is a devastating biotic stress that poses a significant threat to chickpea cultivation, infecting all above-ground parts of the plant (Figure below). A region strongly associated with AB resistance in Ca4 has been detected in the framework of Task 4.3 – Genotyping collections and research populations, led by IFAPA. The aim is to develop KASP markers to select efficiently resistant genotypes.
