Development of a dense genetic map and QTL analysis for pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) resistance component traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

Genetic enhancement for resistance against the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is crucial for enhancing production and productivity of chickpea. Here we provide some novel insights into the genetic architecture of natural variation in H. armigera resistance in chickpea, an important legume, which plays a major role in food and nutritional security. An interspecific recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from a cross between H. armigera susceptible accession ICC 4958 (Cicer arietinum) and resistant accession PI 489777 (Cicer reticulatum) was evaluated for H. armigera resistance component traits using detached leaf assay and under field conditions. A high-throughput AxiomCicerSNP array was utilized to construct a dense linkage map comprising of 3,873 loci and spanning a distance of 949.27 cM. Comprehensive analyses of extensive genotyping and phenotyping data identified nine main-effect QTLs and 955 epistatic QTLs explaining up to 42.49% and 38.05% phenotypic variance, respectively, for H. armigera resistance component traits. The main-effect QTLs identified in this RIL population were linked with previously described genes, known to modulate resistance against lepidopteran insects in crop plants. One QTL cluster harbouring main-effect QTLs for three H. armigera resistance component traits and explaining up to 42.49% of the phenotypic variance, was identified on CaLG03. This genomic region, after validation, may be useful to improve H. armigera resistance component traits in elite chickpea cultivars.