To preserve biodiversity and limit climate change, the world must sustainably intensify food production while lowering attendant greenhouse gas emissions and increasing plant-based dietary protein. Europe depends on imported plant protein. The six countries of this call annually import 238 kt of plant protein, while producing 171 kt of plant protein from grain legumes. Doubling production of grain legumes would greatly increase regional self-sufficiency, food and feed security, and environmental sustainability. For this, a regionally adapted and reliable crop is needed. Faba bean is a rich source of protein. Its production delivers large economic and environmental benefits; as a nitrogen-fixer, it has little need for nitrogen inputs, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, expansion of its use in northern Europe requires improving yield through increased abiotic and biotic stress resistance.
In FABANOVA, we are focusing on various aspects related to chocolate spot, a widespread fungal disease in faba bean caused by different Botrytis species (WP1). In this project, we have developed a method for detecting the species B. fabae, B. cinerea, B. pseudocinerea, and B. fabiopsis in leaf samples of faba bean using diagnostic PCR. This method allows us to identify these species without first needing to isolate and culture the fungus from plant material as we have done previously. We have now started to use the method to study which Botrytis species are associated with chocolate spot in Norway. Preliminary analyses of leaf samples collected in 2023 and 2024 from various fields and locations show that B. fabae is dominant, but all three other species have also been found. The composition of species varies significantly between fields, depending on location and year. Additionally, we have initiated investigations into how weather conditions during the growing season affect the development of chocolate spot.
In WP2, we study the environmental and genetic control of faba bean development. This is of relevance for breeding Northern-adapted cultivars of faba bean, as the currently available cultivars are maturing too late in some years. We have completed experiments aimed at characterizing the effects of photoperiod, temperature and/or water deficit on maturation, as well as an experiment aimed at identifying genes that control growth cessation in accessions with a determinate or indeterminate flowering behaviour. Phenological data and RNASeq data (from the latter experiment) is now available for analyses.
In WP3, we study drought tolerance mechanisms of faba bean in rainout shelters. Faba bean is a drought sensitive crop and understanding of tolerance mechanisms are useful for breeding new cultivars. By the end of September 2025 we will have completed the first of two experimental seasons.
Faba bean is a rich source of protein, serving the dietary needs of millions of people and animals. Its production delivers large economic and environmental benefits; as a nitrogen-fixer, little need for nitrogen inputs, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In our region, faba bean gives yields and protein content higher than those of the alternative, pea. However, expansion of its use in our region requires improving yield and yield stability through increased abiotic and biotic stress resistance. We focus on faba bean’s most widespread disease, chocolate spot (caused by different Botrytis species), its most restricting environmental stress, drought, and its most limiting adaptive constraint, growing season length, to identify material with enhanced adaptation and yield potential. We (all partner countries, in Norway: NIBIO) will investigate the relative importance of the different pathogen species in our region, knowledge that is important for disease resistance breeding. We (NIBIO) will start to develop forecasting tools for chocolate spot, enabling farmers to protect their crops. In field experiments, we will test responses to latitude and weather, while dissecting the components of these responses through controlled-environment experiments (all partner countries, in Norway: NMBU). Phenotypic data from these experiments will be combined with genetic and genomic tools and understanding from model systems to identify loci, candidate genes and pathways associated with the desired traits. These will enable allele mining and development of selection tools that breeders can use to accelerate cultivar development. Gene editing will serve to validate candidate genes and to create new allelic diversity. The project will lead to improved faba bean lines and knowledge that can lead to higher and more stable protein yields in our challenging environment, increasing regional protein security and decreasing the pressure for land-use change in soybean-producing countries.
