Identification and multi-environment validation of resistance to Ascochyta fabae in faba bean (Vicia faba)

Ascochyta blight incited by Ascochyta fabae is a widespread disease severely damaging faba bean (Vicia faba) production. Insufficient resistance is available in faba bean cultivars. In an attempt to identify new sources of resistance a germplasm collection of 484 V. faba accessions was screened for resistance to A. fabae under field conditions; stability of resistance of the 19 most resistant accessions was tested in a multi-location experiment in Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany and Spain over two field seasons. Although complete resistance was not found, six accessions showed interesting levels of incomplete resistance. Genotype. ×. environment (G. ×. E) interaction accounted for 42% of the sum of squares of the multi-environment evaluation, revealing instability of the phenotypic expression across environments. Accessions L-831818, V-26 and V-958 stand out for their consistent resistance, being the most resistant and stable across environments. Accessions V-255, V-1020, V-1085 and V-1117 displayed good resistance, but lower stability, with V-1020, V-1085 and V-1117 being more suitable for Córdoba (Mediterranean mega-environment), and V-255 more suitable for Hohenlieth, Jõgeva and Sumperk (Continental mega-environment). © 2011 Elsevier B.V.Financial support by the European Union EUFABA project (ref. QLK5-CT2002-02307) is acknowledged.Peer Reviewe

Adaptation of spring faba bean types across European climates

International audienceFaba bean (Vicia faba L) is a cool season grain legume whose acreage has constantly declined in traditional producer countries as it has been replaced by more productive cereal crops. However, faba bean is still considered to have great potential as rainfed crop. In order to satisfy the renewed interest in faba bean cultivation yield stability should be improved by exploiting different germplasm types and sowing seasons. In order to understand of genotype by environment interactions and to compare cultivar performance over years and locations a spring faba bean network was established with 20 cultivars grown over three crop seasons at 13 contrasting locations covering most of Europe. Analysis was performed by heritability-adjusted genotype plus genotype x environment interaction (HA-GGE) biplot analysis. HA-GGE biplot analyses identified that the effect of genotype by environment interaction was higher than the effect of genotypes, allowing identification of three mega-environments, namely Continental, Oceanic, and Mediterranean, in which cultivar performed differently. This supports the need for specific breeding for each specific geoclimatic area. Espresso was the highest yielding cultivar, being also highly stable over the Oceanic and Continental mega-environments. Cultivars Fuego, Hobbit and SR-1060 had also good yield but with a moderate unstability in both Oceanic and Continental mega-environments. Baraca and Alameda yielded poorly at all environments although were the best yielders at Mediterranean locations. Environments as Sumperk and Premesques were identified as the best core test locations for Continental and Oceanic mega-environments, respectively, being the locations in which best genotypes could be most easily identified. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved