Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research

UPR-1, Development, Testing and Dissemination of Genetically Improved Bean Cultivars for . . .

University of Puerto Rico as lead university           

Development, Testing and Dissemination of Genetically Improved Bean Cultivars for Central America, the Caribbean and Angola

U.S. PIs & Institutions and Collaborating Host Countries:

Lead U.S.:
James Beaver Department of Agronomy and Soils, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

Juan Carlos Rosas, EAP, Honduras
Timothy Porch, USDA-ARS, U.S.
António Chicapa Dovala, IIA, Angola
Emmanuel Prophete, CRDA, Haiti
Consuelo Estevez de Jensen, UPR, U.S.

Objectives:           

1. Development, release and dissemination of improved bean cultivars for Central America, the Caribbean and Angola.
2. Selection of beans for adaptation to low N soils. 
3. Develop and test molecular markers for disease and pest resistance.
4. Evaluation of other dry pulse crops for Central America and the Caribbean.
5. Capacity building, increase the capacity, effectiveness and sustainability of agriculture research institutions that serve the bean and cowpea sectors in Central America, Haiti and Angola.

Problem Statement:

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important source of protein for low income families in Central America, the Caribbean and Angola. Increased or more stable bean yield can improve the diet and provide a reliable source of income for small-scale farm families in these countries. An increased supply of beans should also benefit urban consumers of beans.

Target Outputs:

The most important output of the proposed Dry Grain Pulse CRSP project is the release and dissemination of bean cultivars having enhanced levels of resistance to disease, pests and abiotic stress. The research team has a proven record of success. At present, more than 100,000 farmers in Central America plant small red bean cultivars developed by the Bean/Cowpea CRSP project. We propose to use a similar approach to develop, release and disseminate improved black bean varieties. Because promising black and red mottled bean lines are already in an advanced stage of development, it is likely that the project will demonstrate significant impact in Central America and the Caribbean during the next 24 months of funding from the Dry Grain Pulse CRSP through the dissemination and release of improved bean breeding lines. We expect to test and release at least two improved black bean cultivars in Central America. In Haiti, we expect to test and release at least two black and one red mottled cultivar. In El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, we expect to release at least two new small red cultivars in collaboration with CIAT and national bean programs. In Puerto Rico, we expect to release pink and white bean cultivars. At the end of the two year extension period, sufficient seed stocks of these cultivars will be produced to initiate on-farm testing of these cultivars throughout Central America and the Caribbean.