Exploiting GEnome wide diversity for disease Resistance Improvement in crop legumes – EGERI

Disease resistance (R) genes are crucial components for sustainable agriculture. NLR disease R genes are encoded by one of the largest and most variable multigene families in plants. Despite its agronomical importance, little is known about the intra-species diversity of NLR. Other types of immune receptors encode receptor-like proteins (RLP) and receptor-like kinases (RLKs). Using cutting edge approaches (RenSeq and RLP/KSeq combined with long Read Sequencing on a diversity panel), EGERI aims: i) to define the pan-NLRome and pan-RLP/Kome of an important crop legume, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and ii) to study the coevolution process at the molecular level in wild common beans. Furthermore, by combining RenSeq and RLP/KSeq with association genetics, EGERI aims: iii) to rapidly identify common bean candidate genes (NLR or RLP/K) conferring resistance against anthracnose and against Asian soybean rust (ASR), one of the most damaging disease of soybean, for its transfer to soybean.