Development of late leaf spot resistant groundnut genotypes using marker-assisted backcross breeding

Groundnut is an important legume oilseed and food crop apart from being a source of fodder. Late leaf spot (LLS) is a major, widespread and destructive fungal foliar disease leading to a yield loss of 50% apart from bring down the fodder quality. Molecular markers linked to LLS have been identified, and they were employed for marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABC). For this purpose, LLS susceptible varieties, TMV 2 and JL 24, which are still popular among the farmers because of their wide adaptability and premium quality kernels were selected. MABC efforts at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad by Prof. Ramesh S. Bhat and his team resulted in the development LLS resistant genotypes DBG 3 and DBG 4 from JL 24 and TMV 2, respectively. Both DBG 3 and DBG 4 were resistant to LLS and had about 25% yield advantage over their recurrent parent. Pod and kernel features, test weight, shelling percentage and quality parameters of DBG 3 and DBG 4 were comparable to their recurrent parents. Now the University has approved both DBG 3 and DBG 4 for release to the Zone 8 of Karnataka for kharif cultivation.

Prof. Ramesh S. Bhat
Email: bhatrs@uasd.in