Screening of resistance genes to Fusarium Crown rot disease in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivars using RAPD markers

usarium crown rot caused by F. oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici is one of reasons of decrease in tomato yield worldwide.. Cultivation of resistant tomato cultivars is the best way to control this disease. Molecular markers linked to resistance genes would be useful for improving tomato breeding programs. This study was conducted to identify resistant (existence Frl gene) and sensitive varieties of tomatoes using RAPD marker.

DNA was extracted using CTAB method from 27 tomato varieties. PCR technique was used to identify F. oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici. Then RAPD marker UBC 194 was used to amplify resistance gene Frl. Results were confirmed by pathogenicity test.

In this study, based on UBC 194 marker it was found that 20 out of 27 tomato varieties and hybrids contained a 590 bp index band (existence of resistance gene Frl). Pathogenicity test showed that the tomato varieties that the resistance gene Frl was found in them had no symptoms while the varieties that did not contain the gene showed disease symptoms with different disease index.

Plantation of resistant varieties in the infected areas can control this disease without using fungicides.