Breeding for self compatibility and wilt resistance in Crotalaria juncea L.

This paper describes the methods used in obtaining lines of Crotalaria juncea to self compatibility and resistance to wilt (Ceratocystis fimbriata). Successive plantings of Crotalaria juncea were made in areas highly infected with wilt. In each cycle, plants which produced seeds were selected and the seeds were replanted. After four years this material was crossed with lines with self compatibility with the common goal of reuniting resistance to wilt and self compatibility. In f1 generation of this cross was backcrossed with the parents resistant to wilt and self compatibility respectively. The population obtained was multiplied up to F4 having been inoculated at each generation with wilt pathogen and selections made of plants resistant to the disease and self compatibility. In the F5 generation 1,030 plants were selected for seed production and seed quality, and of these only 111 plants showed the desired characteristics. The lines of these plants after inoculation with the wilt pathogen showed high percentage of resistance to disease and self compatibility.