Elarging Genetic Diverity in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) By Using Related Wild Species: Toward Identification Genomic Regions Controlling Pre-Harvest Aflatoxin Contamination (PAC) Using Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines (CSSLs)

Aflatoxins are hazardous chemicals for human and animals. They’re the main cause of deterioration of peanut quality in sub-saharan Africa and Asia.

A population of CSSLs developed from a cross between a variety Fleur 11 and a wild synthetic (Arachis duranensis x Arachis ipaensis)^x4 using a marker assisted backrossing strategy was evaluated along with six varieties as checks for pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination (PAC) and agronomic performances. The trial was conducted in a field known as highly infested by Aspergillus flavus, at ISRA’s research station at Nioro (13° 45’ N and 15° 48’ W) during the 2014 off-season. An alpha lattice design with three replications was used. Large variations were observed within the CSSLs population. Pod yield per plant and haulm yield per plant ranged within the CSSLs from 14.16 to 28.71g and 19.12 to 47.24 g, respectively. In addition, we found CSSLs with high agronomic performance showing also very low aflatoxin concentration (< 4 ppb) indicating resistance to PAC. Studies are ongoing to confirm these results and identify QTLs for PAC and their applicability in marker-assisted selection.