1. Molecular marker assisted selection for disease resistance to common bacterial blight and anthracnose in dry beans; 2. Evaluation of dry bean germplasm collections for agronomic traits including disease resistance, seed quality, growth habits, photoperiod, and adaptation; 3. Genetic diversity evaluation based on PCR-markers; 4. Association mapping of traits of interest in dry beans.
Value of the Opportunity (issue, results, outcomes)/Valeur ajoutée de l’opportunité (problème, résultats, retombées):
Dry bean production worldwide is hindered by diseases. Disease infection leads to severe losses in yield and reduction in seed quality. In Canada, the major dry bean diseases include common bacterial blight, anthracnose, and white mould. Use of resistant cultivars is considered the most efficient approach for disease control in commercial production. However, breeding efforts for disease resistance are often restricted by the lack of resistance gene sources and inefficient transfer of multiple QTLs into breeding lines and cultivars. Identification of new resistance genes and related molecular markers would facilitate the pyramiding of multiple diseases resistance in dry beans. Demand for high food quality of dry beans is increasing by consumers. More attention is needed to breeding for improved seed quality traits such as better water absorption and hydration rate, low stone seed rate and soft seed texture, and marketable seed size, shape, and colors. However, detailed profiling and genetic background for such traits are very limited. The breeding lines and germplasm selected from this study could be used as new breeding materials for development of improved cultivars. The molecular markers identified could be used to assist and accelerate future breeding selection, especially for quantitatively inherited genes. The modern research and breeding technologies acquired by the visiting student/scientist would enhance their capabilities in future career development. This training would also lay a good foundation for future collaborations between the Canadian and foreign dry bean researchers.
Outcomes expected: 1. Release of breeding lines with resistance to multiple diseases and strains; 2. Detailed profiling of agronomic traits in dry bean genetic materials for use in breeding; 3. Estimation of genetic diversity in worldwide germplasm collections; 4. Identification of new QTLs for disease resistance and seed quality traits; 5. Presentation of research results at scientific conferences and publications in international refereed journals.
D – Describe the qualifications needed (academic, study, knowledge, skills, experiences, etc.), and the benefits to the candidate /Décrire les qualifications requises (études, connaissances, compétences, expériences, etc) et les avantages pour les candidats
The internship program is designed for Ph.D. graduate students/Visiting Scientists to conduct research and gain training in modern crop breeding and genetic practices, including technologies in molecular markers, seed quality analysis, disease resistance screening and gene mapping and genetic enhancement of germplasm resources. The qualified students/scientists are expected to have basic knowledge and training in disciplines of plant science, especially in the areas of plant genetics and breeding, plant pathology, and molecular markers technology. Fluency in English language is required. Willingness to do field-work is a prerequisite. The selected student/scientist should be able to work in a multi-disciplinary team, be multi-task oriented and be able to publish. The training will provide opportunities to the candidate to gain academic experiences and develop a career in both conventional and molecular plant breeding and genetics.
Type of Candidate (check one or more)/Type de candidats (choisir un ou plusieurs) :
Graduate students / étudiants des cycles supérieurs:
Prefer a PH.D student
- Master’s or equivalent /
Maîtrise ou équivalent
- Ph.D.
Visiting Scientist from a university or a research organisation/Chercheur visiteur provenant d’une université ou d’un organisme de recherche.
Visitor expected length of stay at AAFC, specify number of months (minimum and/or maximum)/
Durée prévue du séjour du visiteur à AAC, spécifier le nombre de mois (minimum et/ou maximum) :
24-36
Start date must be before March 31, 2013/
Date impérative de début du séjour avant le 31 mars 2013, specify/spécifier :
Prefer starting in 2012
Research location in Canada / Lieu de la recherche au Canada :
Cereal Research Centre - Morden Research Station, AAFC
Website : http://www.agr.gc.ca/science
City/Ville, Province :
Winnipeg/Morden, Manitoba
Contact:
Dr. Khalid Y. Rashid
Email/Courriel : khalid.rashid@agr.gc.ca
Phone/Téléphone : 204-822-7220
B – The Research Team/ L’équipe de recherche
AAFC Supervisor/Superviseur à AAC : Khalid Y. Rashid
Other AAFC scientists/Autres chercheurs d’AAC : Sylvie Cloutier, Scott Duguid
University partners/Partenaires universitaires : Prof. Fouad Daayf, Assistant Head, Plant Science, U of Manitoba
Industry partners/Partenaires industriels :
C – Proposal Description/ Description de la proposition
Objective/Objectif :.
Study the pathogenic variability in the fungal pathogen Septoria linicola (flax pasmo) and use molecular means to differentiate and identify pathotypes as well as molecular markers for resistant genotypes.
Value of the Opportunity (issue, results, outcomes)/Valeur de l’opportunité (problème, résultats, retombées):
Training a graduate student in the host-pathogen interaction, fungal pathogens and host genetics, and molecular techniques for identifying pathogen and host genotypes. Investigate the pasmo disease in flax and identify genetic resistance in flax genotypes for future breeding of resistant cultivars. This project will be of benefit to the Canadian and Chinese flax breeding programs since this disease is widely spread in the flax growing areas in Canada and China with no field resistance in commercial flax cultivars.
D – Describe the qualifications needed (academic, study, knowledge, skills, experiences, etc.), and the benefits to the candidate /Décrire les qualifications requises (études, connaissances, compétences, expériences, etc) et les avantages pour les candidats
