Abstract
The dodders (Cuscuta spp.) are parasitic plants that feed on the stems of their host plants. Cuscuta campestris is one of the most damaging parasitic plants for the worldwide agricultural production of broad-leaved crops. Its control is limited or non-existent, therefore resistance breeding is the best alternative both economically and environmentally. Common vetch (Vicia sativa) and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia) are highly susceptible to C. campestris, but no resistant genotypes have been identified. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify in V. sativa and V. ervilia germplasm collections genotypes resistant to C. campestris infection for use in combating this parasitic plant. Three greenhouse screening were conducted to: (1) identify resistant responses in a collection of 154 accessions of bitter vetch and a collection of 135 accessions of common vetch genotypes against infection of C. campestris; (2) confirm the resistant response identified in common vetch accessions; and (3) characterize the effect of C. campestris infection on biomass of V. sativa resistant and susceptible accessions. Most common vetch and bitter vetch genotypes tested were susceptible to C. campestris. However, the V. sativa genotype Vs.1 exhibited high resistance. The resistant phenotype was characterized by a delay in the development of C. campestris posthaustorial growth and a darkening resembling a hypersensitive-like response at the penetration site. The resistant mechanism was effective in limiting the growth of C. campestris as the ratio of parasite/host shoot dry biomass was more significantly reduced than the rest of the accessions. To the best or our knowledge, this is the first identification of Cuscuta resistance in V. sativa genotypes.
Highlights
The common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is an annual legume native to the MediterraneanBasin
In order to identify V. ervilia genotypes with the capacity to inhibit C. campestris infection through resistance against haustorium formation and penetration, a collection of 154 V. ervilia accessions was studied in a greenhouse
C. campestris seedings were placed around each V. ervilia plant
Summary
It is widely cultivated in many areas worldwide due to its high nutritional value as a grain legume or forage crop [1,2,3] and its ability to grow over a wide range of climatic and soil conditions [4]. Worldwide cultivation of common vetch area reached nearly 540,762 ha in 2018 with 34% of this area being cultivated in the Mediterranean Basin [5]. In traditional rain-fed areas in the Mediterranean Basin, common vetch is cultivated either as a monocrop or intercropped with cereals for improved forage harvesting and yield [7,8]. Bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.) is one of the oldest cultivated grain legume crops, originating in the Mediterranean and Middle East area [9,10,11].
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