Screening and selection of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) germplasm resistant to Bean leafroll virus

Abstract

Three hundred and fifty-eight faba bean accessions, originating from 28 countries in 5 continents, were evaluated for their reaction to a Syrian isolate (SV64-95) of Bean leafroll virus (BLRV, family Luteoviridae). Selection for resistance was based on: (i) visual evaluation for symptom expression (disease severity); (ii) virus concentration in the plant tissues, based on the intensity of reaction in the tissue-blot immunoassay; and (iii) seed yield. A large variability in resistance to BLRV was found both between and within faba bean accessions. Progenies of single plants, selected for resistance under inbreeding conditions, were evaluated for another 2-year period. Repeated reselection of inoculated plants, in the absence of outcrossing, significantly increased the proportion of resistant plants. The most resistant selections were made from populations originating from Afghanistan, China, Colombia, Pakistan, Russia, Sudan, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen.