Towards bruchid resistance in pulses

Abstract

National audienceSeed weevils (Bruchus spp.) are major pests of pulses, causing yield losses and affecting marketability 1,2 . Available insecticides have low efficiency and important negative impacts on the environment, humans and non-target organisms. Therefore, breeding resistant varieties represent the most promising strategy to overcome seed weevils. The pyramiding of several resistance genes in cultivars is an important objective because this will make the resistance more durable and suitable for sustainable agriculture. The PeaMUST project (ANR-11-BTBR0002) aims at discovering the mechanisms of tolerance and resistance to bruchids in pea (Pisum sativum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crops and identifying the functional candidate genes for future implementation in Genomics-Assisted Breeding (GAB). A multidisciplinary approach that includes Genome- Wide Association Studies (GWAS), Quantitative trait locus (QTLs) mapping, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), shotgun proteomics and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) analysis has been used to identify potential candidate genes for resistance to bruchids. The results will provide (i) original basic knowledge about resistance strategies in pea and faba bean, the candidate genes underlying quantitative resistance to bruchids and its conservation in other legume species, as well as, (ii) innovative applied knowledge and tools for breeding pea and faba bean varieties resistant to bruchids, which will be useful in future strategies of durable resistance management