Analysis and Identification of QTL for Resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Breeding white mold resistant pea varieties is challenging due to several reasons. There is limited insight into genes related to the pathogen-host interaction (pathogenicity and resistance genes) due to the absence of fully resistant pea germplasm. To transfer white mold resistance into an adapted background, and study the genetics of the disease, two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations (PRIL17 and PRIL19) were developed by crossing two partially resistant plant introductions with two susceptible pea cultivars. These two populations were phenotyped for resistance to white mold. We also genotyped and mapped the quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to partial resistance to S. sclerotiorum in pea for future genetic improvement.