Characterization of Anthracnose Resistance Gene Alleles in Dry Bean Breeding Lines and Germplasm.

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is an important disease of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Infection of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum reduces both yield and seed quality in commercial production. The anthracnose pathogen is highly variable with a large number of races existing worldwide. Currently in western Canada, races 73 and 105 constitute the two primary races. At least thirteen major anthracnose resistance gene loci have been reported and molecular markers have been developed for most of them. In breeding efforts, we have identified 40 germplasm and breeding materials with resistance to races 73 and/or 105 following artificial inoculation. Screening with molecular markers revealed that at least one of the major resistance loci, Co-1, Co-2, Co-3, Co-4 and Co-5 was present in these lines. The majority of the resistant lines possess the molecular markers for at least three resistance loci. The identification and characterization of the anthracnose resistance in these materials will be useful for future breeding and expansion of the genetic diversity for Canadian dry bean improvement.