All nineteen Colletotrichum isolates causing anthracnose in lupin plants growing in southern Chile belong to Colletotrichum lupini, confirming an absence of interspecific variation in the causal agent of anthracnose. Nevertheless, intraspecific genetic diversity was detected with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Based on a multiloci analysis, 14 molecular phenotypes were described among the local C. lupini isolates. The largest genetic distance between two isolates was 0.57. The analyzed isolates showed clear differences in virulence on susceptible cultivar 'Kiev Mutant' with disease severity ranging from 15 to 75% of seedlings. The high degree of DNA polymorphism, the large number of different molecular phenotypes, and the variation in virulence suggest the existence of different strains. Study of strain virulence and diversity may aid in the development of more efficient genetic improvement programs for anthracnose tolerance.

The expansion of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) cultivation in Chile is subject to the availability of cultivars presenting high yield potential, tolerance to the main fungal diseases and homogeneous ripening. In response to these requirements, a new cultivar has been developed and registered as 'Liapec-1', commercially registered as 'Pecosa-Baer'. This new cultivar has determined bushy growth habit. Its flowering period is concentrated in approximately 40 days, less than the 77 days of cv. Rumbo-Baer. This trait allows it to reach harvest without heterogeneity problems. The seed is speckled, flat and medium-sized (370 g/1000 grains aprox.). The kernels are sweet and have a high protein content of around 41% (dry matter basis). In field assays, 'Pecosa-Baer' presents a good tolerance to diseases caused by Colletotrichum lupini and Pleiochaeta setosa. The new cultivar has outstanding stability and yield levels, even under low fertilization conditions. An average yield of 5.43 t ha -1 was obtained over four seasons in two locations. In order to maximize its yield, 'Pecosa-Baer' must be sown between April and June at a rate of 140-160 kg ha -1 . Given the high protein content and low alkaloid levels of the seeds, they can be included in the diet of all types of animals.