Genetic Mapping and Marker Development for the Powdery Mildew Resistance Gene PMR1 in Pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Abstract

Powdery mildew (Capsicum annuum) is a major fungal disease caused by Leveillula taurica in greenhouse. Although powdery mildew resistance has a complex mode of inheritance, resistant cultivars have been steadily developed. Therefore, our objective was to map the resistance gene to powdery mildew resistance using a breeding line, C. annuum VK515 R. Based genetic analysis of an F2:3 families derived from across between the resistant parent VK515 R and a susceptible parent VK515 S, it was found that the powdery mildew resistant is controlled by a single dominant gene, PMR1. Molecular mapping revealed that the PMR1 locus is located at 1 cM genetic interval between CZ2_11628, and HRM4.1.6 markers on pepper chromosome 0. These results provide a solid foundation for map-based cloning of the PMR1 gene and development of markers for breeding powdery mildew resistant cultivars. This is the first report showing the localization of the resistance gene to powdery mildew in pepper.