Project Number: 5348-21000-024-05
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Dec 01, 2006
End Date: Nov 30, 2009

Objective:
1. Analyze the BAC and BIBAC libraries resulted from our previous BARD project and the BAC library generated by your group (~60,000 clones together) and assemble from the clones into a genome-wide BAC/BIBAC physical map. 2. Develop a physical/genetic map of chickpea unifying all genetic maps developed so far for chickpea using the BAC/BIBAC map as the platform and SSR markers. 3. High-resolution map the genes and QTLs of interest by using SSR markers to be developed from the BAC/BIBAC contigs of the chickpea BAC/BIBAC physical map and develop molecular tools (e.g., SSRs and/or SNP) for chickpea genetics and breeding.

Approach:
We will develop the integrated map of the chickpea genome use the map to approach QTLs for flowering time and for resistance to ascochyta blight. We will fingerprint ~50,000 (~10x) BACs from the three chickpea BAC libraries and assemble them into a genome-wide contig map of chickpea. We will anchor the contigs to the chickpea genetic maps, to which the above and many other traits were mapped, by screening the source BACs with the mapped markers. This will unify the genetic maps and locate all mapped QTLs and genes to the BAC contigs. Finally, the BAC contigs containing the QTLs for Ascochyta blight resistance and early flowering will be selected and used to develop new DNA markers that will be used to further fine map these QTLs. In conjunction with field screening, the new DNA markers will be used to facilitate incorporation of resistance genes into high-yielding early-flowering genetic backgrounds. Documents BARD grant. Log 29832.. Formerly 5348-21000-014-11R (5/08)