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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #231513
Title: Evaluation of USDA Lupinus sp. collection for seed-borne potyviruses

Author
item Robertson, Nancy
item Coyne, Clarice - Clare

Submitted to: Plant Genetic Resources
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2009
Publication Date: 5/7/2009
Citation: Robertson, N.L., Coyne, C.J. 2009. Evaluation of USDA Lupinus sp. collection for seed-borne potyviruses. Plant Genetic Resources. Published online 07 May 2009. doi:10.1017/S1479262109257923

Interpretive Summary: Lupins provide a variety of uses for agriculture and restoration/remediation sites. The genus Lupinus includes over 165 annual and perennial species which are distributed around the world from tropical to arctic climates and from sea level to alpine elevations. Lupin seed acquisition, maintenance, and distribution are the responsibility of the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Region Plant Introduction Station, at Pullman, Washington Seventy-six lupin species of 1301 accessions are maintained on the site for distribution. One of the most important aspects of the program is to have sufficient quantities of healthy and genetically diverse seed accessions available for research scientists. Lupins are particularly susceptible to a number of viruses, which may adversely affect seed quality and production during seed regenerations. These results are the first report of the potyvirus status of Lupinus sp. ex situ germplasm.

Technical Abstract: Plant viruses pose a threat to the acquisition, maintenance, and distribution of lupin germplasm (genus Lupinus, family Fabaceae). The availability of sufficient quantities of healthy and virus-free seed from maintained lupin collections is mandatory for conducting lupin research. The objective of this research was to determine the lupin species that were infected with potyviruses (presumably seed-borne) upon germination in the greenhouse. A protocol was developed for screening lupin seedlings in the greenhouse for potyviruses, and elimination or segregation of infected seedlings from the population before transplantation into the field plots for regeneration and accession characterization. From 2002 to 2005, fifteen perennial (30 accessions) and six annual lupin species (213 accessions) were regenerated on site at the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station in Pullman, WA, USA. While none of the greenhouse perennial seedlings tested positive for potyvirus, seedlings in three annual species (Lupinus albus, L. angustifolius, and L. luteus) were infected by potyviruses, presumably by seed transmission.