Resistance to rusts and broomrape in one-flowered vetch (Vicia articulata)

Abstract

There is current interest in the revalorization of legume crops such as one-flowered vetch (Vicia articulata) that was widely cultivated in the past, but is today underutilized. Characterization of responses of existing germplasm to major biotic constraints is crucial for cultivar development. Our studies confirm that V. articulata germplasm can be severely infected by rusts, particularly by the rusts of pea (Uromyces pisi) and lentil (U. viciae-fabae ex. L. culinaris). Only moderate levels of quantitative resistance were identified to these rusts, with no hypersensitive resistance at all. On the contrary all accessions studied were very resistant to the rusts of common vetch (U. viciae-fabae ex V. sativa), faba bean (U. viciae-fabae ex V. faba) and chickpea (U. ciceris-arietini), resistance being frequently associated with hypersensitivity. Crenate broomrape (Orobanche crenata) is known to infect Vicia species. Our field, pot and in vitro experiments showed that V. articulata can be infected by O. crenata, but levels of infection remained low compared to faba bean and pea checks.