Work

From research to application: evaluation of literature-based and newly identified GWAS and GP-derived loci for anthracnose resistance in white lupin, across validation panels and environments

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Resistance to anthracnose disease, caused by Colletotrichum lupini , in white lupin is polygenic and rare in global germplasm, making breeding for resistance challenging. Several studies have identified genomic regions associated with resistance, but reported QTLs rarely overlap. Overall, anthracnose-associated loci have not yet been appropriately exploited in breeding due to the lack of validation, especially in unrelated material. We assessed three literature-based SNP-markers associated to a previously described QTL, as well as six originating from two published GWAS studies. In addition, by re-analysing two published datasets, we newly (i) identified five SNP-markers through a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and (ii) assembled a genomic prediction (GP) model based on a set of 42 SNP-markers. All SNP-markers were transformed to PCR-based assays to facilitate cost-efficient application in breeding and tested in a diversity panel and two breeding panels, phenotyped in field and/or controlled conditions. We validated the association to anthracnose resistance for the previously reported QTL on chromosome Lalb_Chr10 , tagging a source of resistance in the resistant cultivar ‘Frieda’. Two markers showed significant associations ( p < 0.05) with anthracnose resistance in at least two panels, and an additional seven markers were significant in one. The GP model had a prediction accuracy of 0.84 (± 0.13) in the training panel, but is not applicable as such in the unrelated validation panels. However, re-training the GP model with the respective validation panel data showed clear prediction improvement buffering the limitation of environmental context and narrower genepools applied in a breeding programme.

Source: Molecular Breeding

DOI: 10.1007/s11032-026-01661-w