Evaluation of BC1F3 Backcrossed Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L) Lines for Resistance to Early and Late Cercospora Leaf Spot in Mali

In Mali, Groundnuts is an important crop for human and animal feeding. However, this crop is suffering from yield losses due to cercospora leaf spot. A study was conducted in Mali to identify lines tolerant to this fungal disease. The present study aims to identify cercospora-tolerant lines. Samples of infested plants, collected at the Kayes research station, allowed for the isolation of the pathogen and the preparation of an inoculum at the IER laboratory in Sotuba. An artificial infestation was then carried out at Kayes research station, based in Samé on Groundnut lines. Analysis of the results revealed a very high incidence but low severity in several lines. However, lines MLGV 2101141, MLGV 2102035, and MLGV 2102046 were resistant under artificial inoculation, with average pod and foliage yields (0.89 t/ha and 1.92 t/ha, respectively) exceeding the average. Four lines moderately susceptible to Cercospora leaf spot (MLGV 2101086, MLGV 2102117, MLGV 2101065, and MLGV 2102126) had higher pod yields. These differences in Cercospora leaf spot tolerance between lines for traits of interest offer an opportunity to select promising lines for the development of new varieties.