Application of SNP genotyping and rapid screening procedures to enable commercialisation of faba bean varieties with stem nematode resistance

PROJECT TITLE: Application of SNP genotyping and rapid screening procedures to enable commercialisation of faba bean varieties with stem nematode resistance
Summary: Stem nematode, Ditylenchus dipsaci, is a major pest of Vicia faba beans in the UK. It reduces yield and quality, and its persistence in soil imposes a major constraint on faba production. Sources of resistances are known in faba bean germplasm, yet there are no resistant varieties available appropriate for the UK and its markets. Recent developments in the generation of molecular markers in faba bean, and improvements in phenotypic screens for nematode resistance provide an opportunity for the application of biotechnological approaches to the development of resistant varieties. The objectives of this project are to identify markers linked to stem nematode resistance and to validate their use in breeding a new generation of faba bean varieties that are well-adapted, high-yielding and nematode resistant.