Breeding options for improving common bean for resistance against bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.): a review of research in eastern and southern Africa

Abstract

Bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) is a key pest of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) throughout eastern and southern Africa. It is known to cause total crop loss especially under drought stress and low soil fertility. This review underscores the importance of bean fly to bean production. It discusses the research achievements on genetic improvement of common bean for resistance against bean fly attack and highlights further opportunities available for rapid advance. The paper dwells on conventional breeding approaches and possibilities for utilization of marker-assisted selection. Mechanisms of common bean resistance to bean fly have been considered with a view to understand the genetic control. To maximize the effectiveness of host-plant resistance against bean fly, multiple insect resistances should be incorporated into a single bean genotype in order to ensure stability. However, this should be within the background of integrated pest management strategy.