Identifying and exploiting the novel sources of genetic resistance for root diseases of pea

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The root rot complex is the most destructive disease of pea and is now endemic across most pea growing areas of UK. It has become a significant constraint to pea production while there is a spike in demand for this crop due to consumers' increasing preference for plant-based protein. The complex causes severe root damage affecting the plant's ability to fix nitrogen and can lead to total crop failure. There are no genetic or chemical solutions available to control the spread of this devastating disease. It has become imperative to identify novel sources of genetic resistance and develop resistant pea varieties to counter the threat of root rots. The landraces and wild relatives of pea represent a rich source of variation for disease resistance. The project will explore the variation in a Pisum diversity panel against an array of pathogens associated with root rot diseases. The project will facilitate understanding of the genetic architecture of root rot complex in pea. Identified resistances will be transferred into elite pea varieties, using marker-assisted selection.