Identification of anthracnose resistance in yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) and its incorporation into breeding lines

Lupin anthracnose [caused by Colletotrichum lupini (Bondar) Nirenberg, Feiler & Hagedorn] first occurred in commercial crops in Western Australia (WA) in 1996 and severely affected the lupin industry, particularly in the northern grain belt of WA. Subsequent studies led to the identification of good sources of resistance to the disease in narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and white lupin (Lupinus albus L.). However, a reliable source of resistance was lacking in yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) until recently. Screening of accessions obtained from various parts of the globe yielded three putative sources of resistance. Crosses were made between the resistant lines and other breeding lines. Consequently, several breeding lines have been developed with a partial resistance to the disease. This is the first report on the development of anthracnose resistance in yellow lupin. This level of resistance should provide enough protection to grow yellow lupin in southwest of WA as this region does not have blue lupin (Lupinus cosentinii Guss.), a perpetual natural host of the anthracnose pathogen.