Relevance

Reducing the import of vegetable crops, including tomatoes, is one of the key goals of Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial sector. Cultivating domestic tomato varieties resistant to diseases is economically more efficient and environmentally safer. Alternariosis, caused by various Alternaria species, is one of the most destructive diseases worldwide. Severe outbreaks can lead to complete defoliation and up to 35–80% crop loss within a short time. This trend is also observed in Kazakhstan.

The use of genetic markers linked to resistance-conferring genes or alleles is an effective tool in breeding programs. SCAR markers have recently emerged as one of the most efficient tools in modern MAS-breeding for tomatoes.

Objective

To identify new donors and sources of resistance genes to tomato alternariosis and to develop SCAR markers associated with resistance for use in breeding resistant tomato varieties.

Expected results

A collection of local tomato varieties and hybrids will be assembled and characterized based on phenotypic traits at experimental fields in southeastern Kazakhstan. Tomato lines from Kazakhstan, the USA, and wild species will be screened under artificial infection pressure for resistance to alternariosis. Resistant and susceptible lines will be selected to develop segregating populations for mapping resistance loci. Crosses will be made between resistant and susceptible lines to generate F2 or backcross populations for gene mapping.

For the first time, genetic loci responsible for resistance will be mapped using the BSA-seq technique. Candidate resistance genes will be identified using BSA-Seq and other bioinformatics tools. A total of 40 Kazakhstani tomato varieties and hybrids will be tested using SCAR markers associated with resistance to alternariosis.

Scientific-methodological guidelines will be developed for the use of SCAR marker sets in breeding and genetic programs.

Project leader

Almagul Kakimzhanova, Doctor of Biological Sciences, H-index – 4. Researcher ID – I-3841-2017 ORCID ID – 0000-0002-7797-6867 Scopus ID – 56031411400

Research team members

Assel Yessimseitova, MSc in Biology, research associate, author of 25 publications (Web of Science, Scopus). H-index – 1. Researcher ID: P-9837-2017 ORCID: 0000-0002-5428-1915 Scopus ID: 57389169700

Aidana Nurtaza, PhD, research associate, MSc in Biology, author of 25 scientific works including publications in Web of Science and Scopus, completed research internships in Gliwice (Poland) and Milan (Italy). H-index – 3. Researcher ID: DKT-7036-2022 ORCID: 0000-0001-6934-3747 Scopus ID: 57389205700

Damira Dyussembekova, MSc in Technology, junior research associate, co-author of 11 publications and 1 patent (Web of Science, Scopus). H-index – 3. ORCID: 0000-0002-1621-0577

Publications and intellectual property related to the project

1. Yesimseitova A.K., Abdrakhmanova A.B., Abdullaeva B.M., Muranets A.P., Tokbergenova Zh.A., Kakimzhanova A.A. Evaluation of resistance of tomato varieties and hybrids (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) of Kazakhstan selection to alternariosis // Bulletin of Science of the Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University named after S. Seifullin. Agricultural sciences, No. 2 (121) / 2024. – P. 36-47. https://doi.org/10.51452/kazatu.2024.2 (121).1689. (In Russian)
2. Yessimseitova А., Аbdrakhmanova А., Kakimzhanova А. First report of Alternaria alternata causing early blight of tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) in Kazakhstan // Proceedings of the International Conference on Plant Biology and Biotechnology (ICPBB 2024), Almaty, 2024. – P.79.
3. Yesimseitova A.K., Abdrakhmanova A.B., Muranets A.P., Kakimzhanova A.A. Screening of tomato varieties and hybrids of Kazakhstan selection (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) for resistance to alternariosis // Proceedings of the international scientific conference “Astana Biotech 2024”, Astana, 2024. – P.86. (In Russian)

Achieved results

Phenotypic characterization of Kazakhstani tomato varieties and hybrids was carried out, and resistant and susceptible lines were selected for the development of mapping populations. For the first time, mapping of tomato resistance loci to Alternaria blight was conducted using BSA-seq technology, and candidate resistance genes were identified. Forty Kazakhstani tomato varieties and hybrids were tested with SCAR markers, and scientific-methodological recommendations for their use in breeding programs were developed.