The assessment of sugar beet genotypes for resistance to Heterodera schachtii nematode under greenhouse conditions and the presence of MN3 molecular marker

Heterodera schachtii, the sugar beet cyst nematode (BCN), is a limiting factor in most of the beet-growing regions of Iran. Considering this disease's importance and spread, generating resistant cultivars is one of the most important methods to reduce its damage. Achieving accurate and fast resistance assessment methods facilitates the development of resistant cultivars. This research aims to compare the response of twenty domestic and foreign sugar beet genotypes to BCN under greenhouse conditions and with the presence of the MN3 molecular marker, which is linked to the BCN resistance gene. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference among genotypes for resistance to BCN in greenhouse conditions. Using the MN3 molecular marker and greenhouse survey, no susceptible plants were observed in genotype No. F- 21238. Hybrids No. 34781 and 34791 demonstrated the highest resistance (80 and 78% of plants were resistant) under greenhouse conditions and good resistance (80 and 89% of plants were resistant) to this pathogen evaluating the MN3 marker. The results showed that to save time and more accuracy in selecting resistant genotypes, it is better to evaluate genotypes with MN3 molecular marker, and then the chosen genotypes are assessed to determine the level of resistance to this pathogen in greenhouse conditions.