Phenotypic response of climbing pea (Pisum sativum L.) breeding lines carrying the Afila Gene to powdery mildew associated with Erysiphe pisi
摘要
Powdery mildew associated with Erysiphe pisi is one of the main sanitary constraints affecting pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation in southwestern Colombia. The objective of this study was to estimate the final severity of powdery mildew in stipules, pods, and tendrils of eight climbing pea genotypes carrying the Afila gene and the commercial check San Isidro, using an organ-specific scale based on digital image analysis, and to evaluate its relationship with green pod yield. The evaluated genotypes originated from the pea breeding program of the Universidad de Nariño and were obtained through crosses and backcrosses aimed at incorporating the Afila gene into adapted climbing materials. The disease was evaluated under field conditions, natural infection, and without fungicide application. Severity was quantified as the percentage of infected area in each organ, and yield was expressed in t ha⁻1. Highly significant differences among genotypes were detected for severity in stipules, pods, and tendrils, mean severity, and yield. Genotypes GR2, GR10, and GR29 showed lower final severity in the three evaluated organs and higher green pod yield, whereas San Isidro showed the highest mean severity and the lowest yield. Severity variables were positively correlated with each other and negatively correlated with yield. The results indicate that organ-specific digital quantification allows discrimination of the phenotypic response of genotypes carrying the Afila gene to powdery mildew, and that GR2, GR10, and GR29 constitute promising materials for advanced selection.