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Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme
AGRE-0051: Development of chickpea germplasm resistant to Ascochyta blight and Fusarium wilt as a winter planting alternative to Southern European cereal grains |
Science Background
Farmers in the Mediterranean region are changing their practice spring planting of chickpea to winter planting, to take advantage of winter rains and a longer growing period, that should result in a higher yield. However, the cool, wet conditions are ideal for the disease Ascochyta blight, caused by the fungus A. (Mycosphaerella) rabiei, which may attack any part of the chickpea plant at any growing stage. The disease also occurs in other areas, such as southern Asia, the Middle East and northern Africa, where the crop is grown. Infected plants may develop elongated, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, pods and seeds. These lesions may girdle stems, weaken and break branches and petioles and lead to the death of entire plants. Attacks can be so severe that farmers have to plough in the entire crop. Fusarium wilt of chickpea, caused by F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceris, is another common and economically important soilborne disease of chickpea in the Mediterranean region. The fungus colonizes and blocks the water conducting tissue (xylem) of the plant, reducing water transport, resulting in leaf wilting, chlorosis and eventually plant death. The most economic and environmentally sound means of controlling these diseases is by breeding resistant cultivars.
Objectives
This project, coordinated by Koipesol Semillas S.A., aimed to improve chickpea yields by conventional and molecular genetic techniques. Chickpea cultivars with combined high field resistance to Ascochyta blight with winter cold resistance (-8°C) and/or Fusarium wilt resistance would be selected, including chickpea types for direct human use of grain (dry and/or precooked) and industrial use (formulation of compound feed and other uses). Chickpea mutants would be induced and selected for resistance to A. rabiei pathogenic group by mutagenic treatment of seeds with gamma rays. The evaluation of the agronomic potential of the new chickpea cultivars to be developed would be carried out in autumn sowing in different regions of Spain and Italy.
Significant changes and results since end of ECLAIR
Further research on integrated disease management of Ascochyta and Fusarium on chickpeas grown in dry areas is being carried out by CGIAR.
Results
At end of this ECLAIR project
The project yielded some outstanding cultivars with resistance to Ascochyta blight and cold tolerance, including: large size white seed, large size beige seed and medium size types, suitable for different market uses such as direct packing, pre-cooked canning or animal feed. Development of new winter high yielding varieties relies on the presence of genes for Ascochyta blight resistance. This is also important for spring planting, as there may be climatic conditions that can sustain severe Ascochyta blight attacks. Chickpea germplasm with combined resistance to Ascochyta blight, Fusarium wilt, cold tolerance and high yield potential was also developed. In vitro chickpea regeneration was achieved. Grain quality parameters has been established in order to evaluate the seed types required by the Spanish packing and canning industry. Out of 103 F. oxysporum isolates, 79 were characterized as races of F.o. f.sp. ciceris, inducing yellowing or wilt in chickpea. Out of 162 A. rabiei isolates, 41 were characterized as pathogens, some of which were previously unknown pathotypes. DNA probes for rapid molecular diagnosis of diseased plants were developed for wilt-inducing Fusarium isolates.
Current position
Koipesol Semillas is still involved with research in this area. ENEA (Italy), a participant in this project, has collaborated with ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas) in related research.
Impact
Commercial
Chickpea starch does not exhibit heat, acid, shear and freeze/thaw stability, which are characteristic of chemically modified food starches. Chickpea starch can be regarded as an alternative to smooth pea starch, with a neutral taste. The amino acid composition of chickpea protein isolates was not affected when compared with chickpea meal from existing lines. Percentage essential amino acids are higher in chickpea than those recommended by FAO. Chickpea protein fractions are mainly globulins (legumins and vicillins, 65%) and albumins (31%).
Associated
ENEA (Italy), a participant in this project, has collaborated with ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas) in the project Development of chickpea germplasm with combined resistance to Ascochyta blight and Fusarium wilt using wild and cultivated species. ICARDA is one of 16 non-profit research and training centres supported by CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research). ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics), another centre supported by CGIAR, also conducts research on chickpea improvement either dry and hot or moderately dry and cold environments. In 1997, CGIAR, whose mission is to contribute to food security and poverty eradication in developing countries through research, partnership, capacity building and policy support, spent approximately 5 MEuro on chickpea research. This represents about 2 percent of the total commodity investment. The research carried out by ICARDA has focused on breeding cultivars resistant to Ascochyta, however, new forms of the disease are constantly evolving, overcoming the resistance and resulting in sudden widespread epidemics. As a result, integrated disease management (IDM), of which host resistance is combined with seed treatment, is now being used. Other options under investigation include:
If IDM options can be proven, it is expected that farmers will readily adopt the recommended packages appropriate for their conditions. It is anticipated that a similar approach will soon be initiated to manage Fusarium wilt of chickpea.
The concerted action AIR3-CT94-2224: Coordination for join approach on grain legume transformation (methods and objectives) to develop commercial applications (TRANSLEG), coordinated by University of Hannover (Germany), organized workshops and exchange of students with the objectives of:
This led to a shared cost project FAIR3-CT-96-1529: Pathogen resistant grain legumes using gene transfer methods (PRELEG), coordinated by SCRI (UK) a participant in AIR3-CT94-2224. PRELEG was developed according to the needs of the legume breeders present in TRANSLEG through close cooperation with the partners. The aim is to use transgene construct available to partners to improve the resistance of grain legumes against fungal pathogens, including Ascochyta.
ECLAIR project AGRE-0048 aimed to improve the composition and nutritional value of the seed from Pisum and other grain legumes by genetic and processing techniques. The report for that project details other associated research.
Further Information
ICARDA Website: http://www.cgiar.org/icarda/
CGIAR Website: http://www.cgiar.org
ICRISAT Website: http://www.cgiar.org/icrisat/
Contacts
Author
Koipesol Semillas S.A.
SCRI
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