Transmission of Fusarium and Pythium Root Rot Resistance in Beans

Fusarium root rot, caused by the fungus Fusarium solani f. sp Phaseoli is an important soil-borne disease affecting common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in Uganda and many other countries. This pathogen exists in complexe with with Pythium ultimum var. ultimum, and resistance to these pathogens were thought to be linked. A study was initiated to elucidate the inheritance of F.solani resistance and to determine if this resistance is associated with P.ultimum resistance gene. This book uniquely enumirates the surprising outcome the study. Mostly few additive genes with epistatic modofications were found. Fusarium and Pythium resistance genes lacked co-inheritance.The book also displays important genetic principles that guide breeding decisions,and is quite handy for those in academia as well as practical plant geneticsts and breeders.

Graduate Research Assistant, Pursuing PhD in Plant Genetics and Breeding, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA. Obtained BSc. Agriculture and MSc.Plant Breeding from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Research areas: Improving disease resistance and drought tolerance in crops.