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Outputs of our current research portfolio on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).


For further information contact:
ciat-bean@cgiar.org


Output 1: Improved, Small-Seeded, Bean Germplasm Resistant to Major Biotic and Abiotic Stress Factors and Combined with Greater Nutritional and Market Value

Developing Germplasm Tolerant of the Abiotic Stresses of Drought and Low Soil Fertility

  • Breeding lines with commercial grain type and selected for tolerance of terminal drought in previous years also expressed tolerance to intermittent drought, exceeding the commercial checks by 200% or more in yield.
  • New drought-tolerant lines showed as much as 42% yield improvement over local commercial cultivars under both stressed and non-stressed conditions in eastern Africa.
  • Field evaluation of 16 elite lines showed that one of the bred lines (SEA 15) was outstanding in its adaptation to drought. The superior performance of this line under drought, compared with 15 other elite parents of recombinant inbred lines (RILs), was associated with lower seed ash (mineral) content, indicating efficient use of acquired nutrients for grain production.
  • Among the 95 advanced lines of the cross BAT 881 × G 21212, three lines (BH 21134-9-1-1-M-M-M-M; BH 21134-154-1-1-M-M-M-M-M; BH 21134-97-1-1-M-M-M-M-M) were superior in their adaptation to drought. Their superior performance was related to lower levels of seed ash (mineral) and seed P, indicating the usefulness of these traits for selection for drought adaptation in common bean.
  • Among the 95 advanced lines of the cross BAT 881 × G 21212, three lines (BH 21134-110-1-1-M-M-M-M-M; BH 21134-144-1-1-M-M-M-M-M; BH 21134-30-1-1-M-M-M-M-M) were outstanding in their adaptation to acid soil. These three lines were markedly superior in seed yield to BAT 477, a standard check for abiotic stress adaptation, but inferior to the parent, G 21212.
  • Lines bred for tolerance of low soil fertility yielded 65%-75% more than a good commercial check across three fertility stressed environments.
  • Evaluated 30 advanced lines and parents of the cross BAT 477 × DOR364 for tolerance of low soil P. One parent (BAT 477), one landrace (G 21212), and two lines (BT 21138-124-1-3-M-M-M-M and BT 21138-98-1-1-M-M-M-M-M) were superior. Of these four genotypes, BT 21138-98-1-1-M-M-M-M-M was outstanding in using P and N for grain production.
  • Implemented a screening procedure to evaluate genotypic variation for low-P adaptation in common bean, and showed that three "per plant" traits (total number of basal roots, total root length, and total number of root tips) could serve as screening tools to identify low-P adapted genotypes.
  • Implemented a screening procedure to evaluate genotypic variation for Al resistance in common bean. Four traits showed that they could serve as screening tools to identify Al-resistant genotypes: percent inhibition of root elongation, percent increase of average root diameter, total root length per plant, and total number of root tips per plant.
  • Identified a QTL that is associated with better symbiotic N fixation under P-stressed conditions, contributing as much as 49 kg/ha to yield, that is, the equivalent of 8% total yield in a low yield environment.

Developing Germplasm with Multiple Resistance to Diseases

  • The sources of resistance to BGYMV, identified by PROFRIJOL and CIAT, continue to be effective for pyramiding genes for golden yellow mosaic resistance into new common bean cultivars.
  • A marker for a second gene widely used for resistance to BGYMV, was incorporated into the breeding program.
  • The CIAT virologist helped diagnose a new viral disease affecting snap beans in Valle de Cauca, Colombia.
  • Successfully screened sources of resistance to the new viral disease attacking snap beans.
  • Demonstrated the feasibility of producing snap beans with a 70%-75% reduction in insecticide use.
  • Showed that 14 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the DOR364 × G 19833 cross combined resistance to several P. griseola and C. lindemuthianum pathotypes, including the most virulent races.
  • Also showed that 16 advanced lines, constituting small blacks and small reds, had resistance to the most virulent race (63-63) of P. griseola.
  • Confirmed the effectiveness of the ALS-resistance sources G 10909 and G 10474 against a distinct set of pathogen races in Darien. In contrast, these races broke the resistance of G 10613.
  • Eighteen new navy (small white) bean lines with resistance to rust gave significantly higher seed yield than five regionally important commercial cultivars.
  • Thirteen new rust-resistant pinto lines outyielded the best commercial cultivars by as much as 58%.

Developing Germplasm with Resistance to the Pests Thrips palmi, Leafhopper, Pod Weevil, and Bruchids

  • Studies completed on antibiosis, tolerance, and antixenosis as mechanisms of resistance to Thrips palmi.
  • Located a major QTL for Thrips palmi resistance on chromosome b06. Also located other minor QTLs for thrips resistance (see also SB-2 Report).
  • Identified resistance to the bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus) and leafhopper (Empoasca kraemeri) in Phaseolus vulgaris × P. acutifolius hybrids.
  • Studies completed on the development of a DNA-based molecular marker for resistance to the Mexican bean weevil (Zabrotes subfasciatus).
  • Progress made in developing molecular markers for resistance to the pod weevil (Apion godmani).

Developing More Nutritious, Small-seeded, Bean Varieties

  • Identified new bean lines high in iron and zinc concentration in eastern Africa. More than 20 farmers evaluated them for agronomic characteristics.

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Highlights 2001

Highlights 2002

Output 2: Improved, Large-Seeded, Bean Germplasm Resistant to Major Biotic and Abiotic Stress Factors, and Combined with Greater Nutritional and Market Value

Developing Germplasm with Resistance to Diseases

  • Incorporating the recessive bc-3 gene for resistance to bean common mosaic/necrosis proved to be a viable methodology for bean genotypes expressing genetic incompatibility with dominant sources of common mosaic resistance.
  • Identified new sources of BGYMV resistance in the Mesoamerican race of P. vulgaris.
  • This year, we started marker-assisted selection (MAS) for BCMV resistance in Andean bush and climbing beans. Used two markers to evaluate almost 2000 lines: ROC11 for the bc-3 gene and SW13 for the I gene. The bc-3 marker worked especially well for climbing beans, and resulted in substantial savings in area planted. This work builds on last year's success in using SCAR markers for common bacterial blight (CBB), and for bgm-1 and QTLs for resistance to bean golden yellow mosaic virus (BGYMV) that were introgressed into advanced breeding lines of red mottled seed type. These lines were tested for yield this year.
  • Identified several advanced lines with high levels of anthracnose resistance.
  • Evaluation of nurseries of mid-altitude climbing beans and other red-mottled seed types for resistance to Pythium root rot and ALS led to identification of lines resistant to both diseases and with potential for direct use.
  • Used 44 Andean, Afro-Andean, and Mesoamerican races of P. griseola from all over Kenya to evaluate resistance of lines belonging to major market classes grown in Africa.
  • Created several new populations designed to transfer, combine, and pyramid resistance to ALS, Pythium root rot, Fusarium wilt, and anthracnose into major, locally adapted, commercial bush and climbing bean cultivars susceptible to these diseases.
  • Made over 1000 single-plant selections from F3 families derived from simple crosses. Multi-site evaluations are being planned to obtain families that are resistant to Pythium root rot and possessing farmer-preferred characteristics.
  • Identified 26 climbing bean lines with combined or specific resistance to CBB, BCMV, and web blight in eastern Africa.
  • Ten new mid-altitude climbers outyielded regionally important check cultivars (Umubano and Vunikingi) by as much as 39% in eastern Africa.
  • Nine red-mottled seed type lines with multiple disease resistance showed a yield advantage of as much as 20%, compared with the best of 10 regionally important red-mottled seed type commercial cultivars.
  • More than 70 farmer groups in 22 districts in Kenya evaluated elite bean cultivars and advanced breeding lines in participatory variety selection trials, and started community based seed bulking.
  • Sixteen new red kidney lines showed a yield advantage of more than 500 kg/ha over the commercial cultivars in regional trials in eastern Africa.
  • A total of 2097 F3-F5 families derived from single-plant selections are available for distribution. These cover four market classes (red mottled, sugar, brown/tan, and red kidney), and were developed to include three or more important traits (market class, ALS, CBB, low soil fertility, and/or bean stem maggot).
  • Identified 22 lines for adaptation to Malawian conditions from the international ALS nursery distributed by CIAT (Colombia).
  • Made available 71 selections from the mid-altitude climbing bean nursery distributed by CIAT (Colombia) for further evaluation with partners in Malawi and the SADC region.

Developing Germplasm Resistant to Insects

  • Developed new lines incorporating insect resistance.
  • Tested advanced lines derived from red-mottled seed type and Empoasca-resistant parent for yield. Applied two DNA markers for arcelin-derived resistance to bruchids in the selection of over 800 advanced lines. These markers showed promise for substituting the serology-based assays currently used for marker-assisted selection. The best advanced lines from this exercise were tested for yield this year and included new bruchid-resistant beans of the red mottled, large red, light red kidney, and white kidney Andean genotypes. These lines will be useful for the Caribbean and other tropical regions where insect pressure, especially from Empoasca spp. in the field and bruchids in storage, is severe.

Incorporating Wider Genetic Diversity into Beans

  • Selected cargamanto beans (cream-mottled, climbing beans) for mid-altitude adaptation, and conducted generation means analysis of climbing × bush bean populations. The goal was to determine trait correlations and heritabilities in climbing beans, and thus facilitate the future breeding of improved climbing beans.

Developing more Nutritious, Large-Seeded, Bean Varieties

  • Used mineral analysis to identify the highest iron content in a collection of Andean beans from the Department of Nariño, Colombia. This analysis helped identify potential genotypes to include in a nutrition nursery.

 

Output 3: Strategies Developed for Managing Diseases and Pests in Bean-Based Cropping Systems

Characterizing and monitoring pathogen and insect diversity

  • Detected and partially characterized at the molecular level a new whitefly-transmitted virus that attacks common bean in Colombia. Sources of resistance have already been identified.
  • Showed that the ALS pathogen P. griseola coevolved with common bean gene pools and exhibits extensive geographical differentiation.
  • Showed that co-infection of common bean by different races of P. griseola occurs under field conditions.
  • Showed that the pathotype structure of C. lindemuthianum in the Departments of Antióquia and Santander, Colombia, has changed, and new, more virulent, races were characterized.
  • Showed molecular evidence that the bean anthracnose pathogen, C. lindemuthianum coevolved with the gene pools defined for common bean.
  • Characterized 30 Pythium isolates from Uganda and Kenya by sequencing the ITS-1 region of ribosomal DNA. The isolates were grouped into 12 species, 7 of which were new as bean pathogens.
  • Developed distribution maps for Pythium species characterized in Uganda.

Characterizing Disease and Insect Resistance Genes

  • At least three resistance genes condition the resistance of G 19833 to four races of C. lindemuthianum.
  • The resistance genes in G 19833 are distinct from those in the Andean genotypes Michigan dark red kidney, Kaboon, and Perry Marrow, and may be a new Andean resistance locus.
  • Successfully converted two AFLP markers to STS markers, and developed protocols for their use in MAS.
  • Identified six new AFLP markers segregating with resistance genes in G 10474, G 10909, MAR 1, and MEX 54.
  • Both dominant and recessive genes with epistatic effects condition resistance to P. griseola, with the nature of the gene depending on the pathogen race used.
  • Identified QTLs for resistance to Thrips palmi. The level of heritability and extent of genetic-by-environment interaction were determined for insect damage and reproductive adaptation under high infestation pressure.
  • Progress made on developing a SCAR marker for resistance to Apion godmani. Bulk segregant analysis and genetic mapping of insect resistance narrowed down the number of chromosomes containing genes for Apion resistance and provided other potential molecular markers for use in marker-assisted selection.
  • Showed that inheritance of resistance to Pythium root rot in MLB-49-89A, AND 1062, and RWR 719 was conditioned by single dominant genes.
  • Showed that the SCAR marker OPN02890C to ALS-resistant genes in MEX 54 had limited application because it was not useful in the populations used.
  • The RAPD marker OPE04 was found useful for detecting a resistant gene in MEX 54 in different backgrounds and, in all cases, it segregated with the resistant dominant gene.
  • Developed new lines incorporating insect resistance.

Developing Integrated Pest Management Components

  • Common bean production returned to the Zapotitán Valley, El Salvador, during the whitefly/geminivirus peak season.
  • Monitored the changing situation with whitefly species and biotypes in target areas.
  • Validated and refined action thresholds for managing the whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum on snap beans and dry beans.
  • Monitored levels of resistance to insecticides in whitefly populations in Colombia and Ecuador.
  • A bioassay method to quantify inoculum of Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli confirmed previous observations that farmyard manure (FYM) increased both dry matter and bean yield but also increased inoculum in the soil. Calliandra green manure did not result in such high yields as FYM but did not increase the pathogen's soil population.
  • A dilution plating method was developed to quantify total inoculum of Pythium species in the soil. The method is limited, however, when focusing on specific (e.g. pathogenic) species, as this requires colony identification.
  • Neither FYM nor Calliandra green manure had significant impact on Pythium populations. FYM increased soil fertility and yield but stored up potential problems by increasing pathogen numbers. Calliandra green manure may therefore be preferred as a component of a series of management practices to reduce the impact of root rots.

 

Output 4: Strengthened Institutional, Organizational, and Collaborative Capacity of NARS and Subregional Networks in Africa and Latin America

Strengthen Capacity of NARS by Increasing the Knowledge and Skills of Scientists and Staff from NARIs, NGOs, and Rural Service Providers

  • Provided individual training of national scientists.
  • CIAT scientists participated in the planning activities in Central America, the Andean Region and African networks.
  • Four African scientists finished their MSc degrees.
  • One scientist from SABRN participated in the participatory plant breeding (PPB) monitoring tour in Honduras. This person is expected to play a leading role in providing support in participatory plant breeding within the SABRN.
  • Two socioeconomics resource persons from Kenya and Uganda have trained six national socioeconomists from D. R. Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
  • Held two PPB courses for participants from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
  • In February 2003, CIAT organized a short course on marker-assisted selection in Uganda. Six SABRN participants who had access to biotechnology laboratory facilities attended. They were from Malawi, southern highlands of Tanzania, Zambia, and the Republic of South Africa. Also attending were another nine participants from the ECABREN region, that is, from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
  • The first international course on "Bean Breeding, Using Marker-Assisted Selection" was organized at CIAT headquarters for Latin American scientists from the national programs of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru.
  • Several training workshops were organized and implemented for bean IPM farmer group representatives, district and village extension officers, rural service providers, and community local leaders at project sites in Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi.
  • Former PPB farmer groups in northern Tanzania were linked to IPM farmer groups through cross visits and farmer field days.
  • This year, senior scientists traveled more frequently between Africa and headquarters. The pathologist and two breeders traveled twice, and a breeder and pathologist traveled from Africa to headquarters at mid-year, leading to closer integration.

Strengthening International Collaboration through Networks (intra- and inter-network collaboration) and/or Bilateral Relations

  • Identified ECABREN demand-driven regional research and development portfolio. Consensus reached by stakeholders on research priorities.
  • Between August and September 2003, four Future Harvest Centers (CIAT, CIMMYT, ICRISAT, and IITA), together with the SSSN, organized two joint workshops to sensitize various stakeholders on the sustainable ways of producing and distributing seed of open-pollinated and self-pollinated crops. The workshops, one for Zimbabwe and Botswana, and the other for Zambia and Malawi, together pulled over 50 participants from various organizations, including NGOs, CBOs, and farmers' associations, to strengthen partnerships and collaboration.
  • Plan International (Malawi), Malawi National Bean Research Team, and CIAT-SABRN have formed a new partnership in which CIAT and Malawi NARS will provide backup with bean-based technologies and enabling Plan International to use rural innovation expertise. Plan International is providing the funds.
  • The top six cultivars (CIM 9314-4, DC-95-96, GCI-SB-20RR, ECAB0545, DC-12074-3-1 and CIM 9223-2) of 100 cultivars from the Southern Africa Regional Bean Evaluation Nursery (SARBEN) performed well at three or more sites out of eight sites in the SADC region. The cultivars were selected for further evaluation in partnership.
  • The two top cultivars for yield across eight sites of SARBEN in various SADC countries were DC-95-96 and PC-512-84. Both are sugar beans, with medium-sized to large seeds, cream to beige in color with red speckles. Sugar beans command the biggest market share in the Republic of South Africa and surrounding countries.
  • The national bean research program in the southern highlands of Tanzania, while evaluating and yield testing Andean bush and climbing bean lines from CIAT, has identified appropriate varieties for mid-altitude ecosystems to distribute to local extension workers, agronomists, NGOs, and farmer-led research committees (CIALs, Spanish acronym).
  • Collaboration with CORPOICA and the universities and agricultural colleges of the Departments of Nariño and Valle de Cauca, Colombia, has led to extensive testing of bush and climbing bean parental genotypes and potential varieties.
  • Collaboration with the national bean programs of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru has led to testing of CIAT germplasm from various seed classes.
  • Breeding lines multiplied to increase seed of commercial grain types for the Andean Region.
  • A large number of nurseries and germplasm materials were distributed to bean network partners.
  • HarvestPlus (formerly the Biofortification Challenge Program) is becoming a bridge for international collaboration between Latin America and Africa and is drawing actors that, traditionally, have not been involved in agricultural research nor in the diffusion of improved germplasm.

Collaborative Projects Developed and Executed with NARS and Regional Networks


  • Relationships with Brazil are being revived through three different Challenge Programs.
  • International collaboration between Mexico, Cuba, and, possibly, Bolivia on symbiotic nitrogen fixation is consolidating around a population of recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross BAT 477 × DOR364.
  • Drought is emerging as a theme that brings together bean researchers, especially in Central America. Researchers in Brazil and Africa, and in NRM are showing interest.
  • The VICARIBE (Caribbean International Bean Trial) was officially launched.
  • A project on drought tolerance breeding was initiated in Nicaragua. It is expected to open up new opportunities for regional collaboration.
  • The Tropical Whitefly IPM Project helped finance the evaluation and subsequent release of the new BGYMV-resistant cultivar CENTA San Andrés in Central America.
  • Prepared joint collaboration and concept notes.

Socioeconomic Activities

  • The improved variety K132 (CAL 96) has been adopted at a level of 48% in eastern Uganda, resulting in a doubling of bean income in 8 years.
  • FAO policy on seed aid is being modified significantly as a result of research by a CIAT social scientist.


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