Field-Relevant New Sources of Resistance to Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum truncatum in a Mungbean Mini-Core Collection.

Anthracnose is a prevalent disease of mungbean in Asian countries and Sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by multiple Colletotrichum species. The high levels of anthracnose resistance in mungbean have not been studied in depth in India, but genetic resistance is desired. In this study, we identified the causal agent of mungbean anthracnose in two regions of India as Colletotrichum truncatum through morphological and molecular methods. A set of 296 mungbean mini-core accessions developed by WorldVeg was screened under a natural disease pressure from July to September (kharif season) in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in Hyderabad (a hot spot for anthracnose) to identify anthracnose resistance. Based on disease severity scores, 22 accessions were consistently anthracnose resistant under the categories of immune, highly resistant, and resistant with scores ranging from ≥1.0 to ≤3.0 during the period of study. Furthermore, based on the agronomic performance, anthracnose resistance in Hyderabad, and other desirable traits, a subset of 74 mungbean accessions was selected from 296 mini-core accessions. These accessions were evaluated under natural disease pressure from July to September in 2018 and 2019 in Palampur (another hot spot for anthracnose) to determine the variation in anthracnose resistance. Out of the 74 accessions, two accessions were resistant in 2018; in 2019, one was immune, nine were highly resistant, and 15 were resistant. Combined analysis of variance of 65 accessions common in Hyderabad and Palampur revealed highly significant effects of environment, genotype (accessions), and genotype × environment interaction on the disease severity. The combined GGE biplot analysis of data across years and locations confirmed that the seven accessions MC-24, MC-51, MC-75, MC-127, MC-207, MC-208, and MC-292 were resistant during 2016 to 2018 in Hyderabad, and only in 2019 in Palampur, and the same accessions were moderately resistant in 2018 in Palampur. The seven resistant accessions identified from both test locations could be used as potential donors in the anthracnose resistance breeding program.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Global Status of Vegetable Soybean.

Vegetable soybean, popularly known as edamame in Japan and mao dou in China is a specialty soybean. Green pods with physiologically mature beans are harvested, and whole pods or shelled beans are used as a fresh or frozen vegetable. Vegetable soybeans are prepared in diverse ways, and they are highly nutritious, with excellent taste properties. Unlike grain soybeans, it is perishable. In this review, the chronological progression of area, production, export, import, and expansion of vegetable soybeans and potential for further expansion is discussed. Available information on current ongoing research and development activities in various countries around the world are presented, and their relevance is discussed. At present, the production and consumption of vegetable soybeans are mainly in East and Southeast Asia, with Japan as the largest importing country that dictates the global market. However, interest and trend in cultivation of this crop in other regions has increased significantly. Lack of germplasm or suitable varieties is a major constraint in vegetable soybean production and expansion in countries outside East and Southeast Asia. Most of the vegetable soybean varieties are genetically related and are susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses. Extensive research and breeding of vegetable soybeans are still restricted in a few countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan and the USA. The need for focused research and development activities with concern for the environment, farmers' and processors' profit, consumers' preference, quality, and nutrition are emphasized.