Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), is among the most important legume crop for protein source in peoples’ diet globally and including Kenya. Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) is a common disease of legumes that causes yield loss of up to 90-100%. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of SSR molecular markers to identify anthracnose resistant common bean genotypes. Forty four selected common bean genotypes were used. Molecular analysis was carried out on the forty four genotypes in the laboratory using SSR markers specific to beans and anthracnose resistance. All the molecular data were analyzed using Genstat Version 12. Eight SSR molecular markers which proved to be significant (p≤0.05) and excellent in identifying resistant genes in the genotype studies were; K800, PSSR0183, PSSR0179, PSSR0776, PSSR0759, PSSR0191, PSSR0234 and PSSR0233. Twelve genotypes were identified to be tolerant and resistant to anthracnose disease and these were; KK15, Chelalang, Tasha, Ciankui, KK8, Mwezi mbili, GBK036659, GBK036456, GBK036535, Cornell, Perry marrow and G2333). It is recommended that the significant markers can be used in molecular breeding by plant breeders to enhance anthracnose resistance of local bean landraces, varieties and breeding lines. Also the identified twelve tolerant and resistant genotypes; KK15, Chelalang, Tasha, Ciankui, KK8, Miezi mbili, GBK036659, GBK036456, GBK036535, Cornell, Perry marrow and G2333 can be utilized by farmers in their fields.

Keywords: Common bean, Anthracnose, Resistance, Simple sequence repeats, Molecular markers