Epidemiology and Management of Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV) in Traditional Phaseolus vulgaris L. Landraces within Protected Geographical Indications

Abstract

Protected geographical indications (PGIs) share health problems related to plant propagation material. The PGI “Faba de Lourenzá” encompasses a 1660 km2 area in northern Galicia, Spain, renowned for its “Faba Galaica” (FG) and Faba do marisco” (FM) bean cultivars. The lack of certified virus-free seeds poses a challenge. From 2019 to 2023, seeds from 60 lots were tested for BCMV. Plants from several plots were tested periodically to develop disease progress curves (DPCs). Control methods (plots out PGI zone, virus-free seedlings, rogueing, corn borders, and intercropping) were tested. Yields in five plots were used to assess BCMV’s economic impact. Seed lots were 22.3% FG-infected and <5% FM-infected. The transmission rate of BCMV from infected FG plants to their seeds was 25.5 ± 5%, while for FM it was 12 ± 3%. FG yield losses were on average 31.6 ± 4.5%. Combining virus-free seedlings and infected plant removal in plots outside the PGI area proved effective at reducing infection rates; combining with intercropping resulted in the lowest incidence in an FG plot. Farmer training and off-site plot selection to produce healthy sowing beans are key to improving results.