Project/Activity Number: W-3150
Project/ Activity Title: Breeding common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for resistance to abiotic
and biotic stresses, sustainable production, and enhanced nutritional value
Reporting Period: 9/2014 to 10/2015
Date of This Report: 12/23/2015
Annual Meeting Date: 11/04/15, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
PARTICIPANTS (* Indicates participation via conference call)
Beaver, Jim (james.beaver@upr.edu) - University of Puerto Rico
Cannon, Ethy (ekcannon@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University
Campbell, J.D. (jdjax@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University
Cichy, Karen (karen.cichy@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS, East Lansing
Goswami, Rubella S (rgoswami@desu.edu)- Delaware State University
Grusak, Mike (mike.grusak@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS Houston, TX
Hossain, Khwaja (k.hossain@mayvillestate.edu) - Mayville State University
Hart, John (john.hart@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS
Heitholt, Jim (jim.hyotholt@uwyo.edu) - University of Wyoming
Hu, Jinguo (jinguo.hu@ars.usda.gov) USDA-ARS
Kalavacharla, Venu (Kal) (vkalvacharla@desu.edu) - Delaware State University
Karasev, Alex (akarasev@uidaho.edu) - University of Idaho
Kelly, Jim (kellyj@msu.edu) - Michigan State University
Kisha, Ted (tkisha@wsu.edu; theodore.kisha@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS
Kmiecik ,Ken (kakmiecik@sbcglobal.net)
McClean, Phil (phillip.mcclean@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University
Miklas, Phil (phil.miklas@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARA, Prosser
Nienhaus, Jim (nienhaus@wisc.edu) University of Wisconsin
Osorno, Juan (juan.osorno@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University
Pasche, Julie (julie.pasche@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University
Pastor-Corrales, M.A. (talo.pastor-corrales@ars.usda.gov) –USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD
Porch, Tim (timothy.porch@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS-Mayaguez
Raatz, Bodo (b.aatz@cgiar.org) - CIAT
Rosas, Juan Carlos (jcrosas@zamorano.edu) - Zamonaro/Honduras
Rueda, Janice (rueda@wayne.edu) - Wayne State University/Archer Daniels Midland
Scholz, Todd (tscholz@usapulse.org) - American Pulse Association
Singh, Shree (singh@uidaho.edu)- University of Idaho
Qijian Song, (Qijian.Song@ARS.USDA.GOV) - USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD
Souza, Maria (mariamartiniano@hotmail.com) - Universidad Equaduar De Marinaa
Steadman, Jim (jsteadman@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska
Uebersax, Mark (ubersax@msu.edu)- Michigan State University (retired)
Urrea, Carlos (currea2@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska
Wiesinger, Jason (wiesinge@mdsu.edu) - USDA-ARS
Wahlquist, Dan (dan.wahlquist@syngenta.com) - Syngenta
MEETING MINUTES
The meeting was called to order 10:50 am by Julie Pashe, Chair, W-3150. Julie Pasche
welcomed everyone and introduced Khwaja Hossain as Vice Chair. Jim Kelly made a motion to
elect Rubella Goswami as the Secretary and the motion was 2nd by Phil McClean. The motion
passed with all in favor and Rubella Goswami started serving as secretary immediately. This
need was brought about by the inability of the secretary elect (Vicki Schelgal, U of NE) to attend
this meeting. Dr. Schegal will be nominated to serve as secretary in 2016.
A motion was made by Juan Osorno and seconded by Phil Miklas to approve the minutes of the
previous meeting. Introductions of attendees followed.
Janice Rueda, Past Chair, reported that the submission for the 5 year renewal of the W2150 (now
W3150) had gone smoothly and thanked members for their inputs.
Julie Pasche, informed the group that the minutes for the meeting along with the State Reports
had to be submitted within 60 days from the date of the meeting and requested each state
representative to send their reports to any of the office bearers. The length of the report was
limited to 1-1.5 pages.
Dr. Mike Harring provided administrative update via phone. Dr. Harring’s comments included
the possibility of an increase in budget and AFRI funds, changes in the IPM program and
creation of an agriculture research institute. There were no questions from the attendees.
Qijian Song, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD presented “Development of SNP BeadChips in
Common Bean”. Using a set of 17 diverse accessions from major market classes, nearly 2
million SNPs were identified. A series of 3 Bead chips have been designed and used to identify
genes or QTL associated with resistance to bean common mosaic virus, root rot, rust, bacterial
blight and leaf hopper as well as root architecture, drought and multiple stress tolerance. He also
discussed the availability of the Soybean Bead Chip available through the BARCSoy6K
BeadChip Consortium, where additional SNPs can be added to existing SNPs. His presentation
was followed by a discussion that Bead Chips may be a better option than GBS as it reduces the
need for bioinformatics and results are delivered directly in a spread-sheet.
State reports followed:
Puerto Rico: Jim Beaver -Developed and released bean cultivars ‘Beniquez’ and ‘Badillo’ and
bean germplasm TARS LFR1, PR0806-80, PR0806-81, PR0401-259, PR0650-31, TARS-MST1
and SB-DT1. Identified two dominant genes that confer resistance to common bacterial blight.
Some of the lines from Puerto Rico are being tested by Juan Osorno in North Dakota and have
performed well.
Tim Porch- Breeding lines developed for drought in the collaboration with the U. of Nebraska
were evaluated in Nebraska and in Puerto Rico in 2015. In collaboration with USDA-ARSProsser, over 200 bulk breeding populations have been developed for abiotic and biotic traits in
Mesoamerican and Andean genetic backgrounds and are freely available. GWAS analysis is
being conducted on a number of abiotic stress traits in the ADP and BASE120 panels and in a
Mesoamerican RIL population. A tepary (Phaseolus acutifolius) diversity panel (TDP) was
developed and genotyped using genotyping-by-sequencing. In addition, advanced lines of tepary
in a tepary adaptation trial (TAT) were generated, and are currently being tested at Colorado
State through a shuttle breeding effort, and in Central America. A database of the Andean
Diversity Panel (ADP), and SNP genotypic information on the ADP generated through
genotyping-by-sequencing are being made available for use through the FtF-ARS Grain
Legumes Project website http://arsftfbean.uprm.edu/bean/. There has been a change in personnel
with a new technician being hired into the program and a student is being graduated. It has been
a good year for screening for heat tolerance in Puerto Rico, Mayageuz. The team is also working
on the Phaseolus improvement for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Washington: Nutrient analysis of selected dry beans: Theodore Kisha – Of the more than 20,000
Phaseolus accessions held at the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS), the most
abundant species by far is P. vulgaris L. with over 17,000 accessions. Of these, 177 are
described as “snap” varieties, grown for harvest as fresh vegetable, while the remainder are
described as “dry beans”. Among these, 90 are classified as nuña beans, or the Peruvian
“popping” bean. Genetic analysis using AFLP markers showed nuñas were distinct from the
common dry beans analyzed, and there were two distinct groups within the nuñas. Genetic
Diversity of North American wild kidney bean (Phaseolus polystachios) in the eastern United
States, a perennial vine closest to cultivated relative P. lunatus, is being studied. Nine accessions
from the USDA collection were analtzed along with 16 herbarium samples provided by the
Smithsonian Institution using 231 AFLP molecular markers from six primer combinations. The
USDA accession from Texas was very unique and has been reclassified as P. texensis. The level
of distinction among the samples studied reinforces the need for continued collection of this
diverse species. A collection expedition was carried out in October and additional populations
were collected from Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Missouri.
Phillip Miklas- The cooperative dry bean nursery will be transferred to Carlos Urrea who will be
the new curator. This year the nursery had 40 lines which is the biggest submission. The
Durango diversity panel was created with 200 lines among which 192 have been tested. It has
both old and new varieties and Phil Miklas has 2M SNPs for this population.
Nebraska: Jim Steadman and Carlos A. Urrea -Symptomatic bean samples were collected from
bean fields in Nebraska and Puerto Rico. Traditional fungal isolation and molecular and
morphological identification and sequencing DNA from root tissue analyses found that Fusarium
species were detected in 82% of DNA sequenced from all Nebraska root samples and 83% of the
isolated pathogenic fungi. Nearly 50% of the isolates from Puerto Rico were Macrophomina
phaseolina. The Fusarium spp. were determined found to be the most common pathogen in
Nebraska and Macrophomina phaseolina to be more dominant in Puerto Rico. Four previously
published fungal aggressiveness tests: detached leaf, stem, cup and straw were compared and
found the straw test had the highest disease incidence (100%) and highest mean disease damage
score. The straw test could be used as an easy and inexpensive method to separate pathogenic
from non-pathogenic isolates for the major fungal and oomycete root pathogens of dry bean.
Multisite screening was used to identify and verify partial resistance to white mold in common
bean. The results showed that 3 bean lines, GN 031-A-11, pinto USPT-WM-12 and snap bean
ASR 1002 were similar to the resistant check G122 with intermediate resistance while black
B10244 and red R12859 were similar to Bunsi. Navy N11283 and GN G12901 were less
susceptible than Beryl. The 2015 evaluation of NE great northern and pinto lines with the rust
pathogen under field conditions was conducted at Beltsville, MD. Almost all of the NE lines in
the pinto nursery were resistant to the prevalent races of rust. A great northern line will be
released as a cultivar shortly based on its performance in Nebraska since 2010. A set of elite
great northern/pinto lines have been tested in growers’ fields under the ‘Mother and Baby’ Trial
scheme. Vicki Schlegel- Just received funding the last week of October for her part of the project
and will have been characterizing the beans. She was able to hire two grad students within this
month. As she just started the project, she did not have any data to report.
Wisconsin: Jim Nienhuis-The objective of the research is to gain knowledge regarding variation
in sugar and flavor content among a sample of dry bean and green pod-type PI accessions from
the USDA Phaseolus Germplasm Core Collection, Pullman, WA. The results of this project
could be used to market product quality and offer unique opportunities to expand market share to
an increasingly health conscious population. A large positive correlation was observed between
the simple sugars Glucose and Fructose. In contrast a large negative correlation was observed
between the disaccharide sucrose with monosaccharides, glucose and fructose. A major focus
will be on nitrogen fixation since one of the major cultivars is non-nodulating.
Michigan: James D. Kelly and Karen A. Cichy- The MSU dry bean breeding and genetics
program conducted 12 yield trials in 2015 in 10 market classes and participated in the growing
and evaluation of the Cooperative Dry Bean, Midwest Regional Performance, National Drought
and the National Sclerotinia Nurseries in Michigan and winter nursery in Puerto Rico. The
Andean kidney and cranberry beans were the most affected by the stresses whereas the
Mesoamerican small and medium seeded black, navy, pinto, GN, and red beans managed to
tolerate the conditions and had near normal stands. The unfavorable condition allowed for the
selection of lines with tolerance to root rot and with resistance to common bacterial blight in the
kidney bean nurseries. A panel of 71 black bean breeding lines was compiled from the major
public U.S. black bean breeding programs, Each of the bean lines were genotyped with the
BARCBean6K_3 SNP array. Nearly 3,000 SNP markers were polymorphic. The phenotypic
and genotypic information was used for genome wide association analysis. Genomic regions
associated with color retention were found on numerous chromosomes. Certified seed was
produced of the new high-yielding, disease resistant, upright full-season black bean variety,
Zenith, and the new upright navy bean variety, Alpena that has excellent canning quality and
uniform maturity. Foundation and certified seed of both varieties was produced in 2015.
Idaho: Shree Singh –Three advanced pinto bean breeding lines, namely UIP 35, UIP 40, and
UIP 46 were evaluated in the field at Kimberly, Idaho; and in the Western Regional Bean Trial
(WRBT) at Fort Collins, Colorado; Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and at Othello, Washington. They also
were tested in the National Cooperative Dry Bean Nursery (CDBN) at approximately 10
locations in the US and Canada. Dr. Singh has been working with Colorado State and his team
has transferred white mold resistance from P. coccinius. He has a few seeds from the crosses
with very high resistance to white mold and he will be releasing three new pinto varieties. Seed
of one interspecific pinto bean breeding line, namely VCP 13 derived from a recurrent backcross
of pinto ‘UI 320*2/PI 439534 (Phaseolus coccineus, a member of the secondary gene pool), and
one pinto (PRP 153) and three Andean (PRA 152, PRA 154, PRA 155) breeding lines with high
levels of broad-spectrum pyramided white mold resistance from across Phaseolus species were
again multiplied in the field at Kimberly, Idaho in 2015. They also were simultaneously screened
on the same plants against the pathogen isolates in the greenhouse at Kimberly, Idaho in 2015.
Furthermore, the public release of these breeding lines was approved by the Idaho Foundation
Seed Program Committee and the Director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Stations.
Alex Karasev- There are efforts to find molecular signatures for BCMV resistance. They found
an isolate of that overcomes the BC3 gene and are suggesting that it should be used for resistance
search.
Maryland: Talo Pastor-Corrales- Nurseries for rust are run by him in Beltsville, MD and this
year they had a lot of great northern and pinto beans for screening from Nebraska. The rust
disease pressure in 2015 was very good. He did not have any help for the past three and half to
four years but this year received funding to hire one assistant and one post-doc however his
operations budget was only $7000. Green house work for allelism was conducted and SSR
markers were identified. He went to South Africa and discovered several diseases in the field
including rust, anthracnose and angular leaf spots. He did a nursery for the Durango diversity
panel and believes that it will be very useful for several diseases.
North Dakota: Juan Osorno- Two new kidney bean lines with improved agronomic traits and
good levels of resistance to both root rots and halo blight have been released. Additionally, at
least 6 pinto MDR breeding lines that offer moderate to high levels of disease resistance and
agronomic performance, 2 slow-darkening pintos with competitive seed yield and agronomic
performance in comparison to the commercial checks, and Andean genotypes with good levels of
resistance to root rot and halo blight have been identified.
Julie Pasche-In field trials, planting seed produced from anthracnose-infected plants increased
the level of disease in the field and the level of discoloration on daughter seed, and decreased
yield regardless of the level of visual symptoms on the planted seed. Under highly favorable
disease conditions, differences in disease severity, yield and seed discoloration were not
significantly different among planted seeds with no, low, moderate or high levels of symptoms.
They continue to work with root rot, CBB and other cooperative projects with the breeding
program. Developing greenhouse screening methods for Fusarium root rot will be a priority
going forward.
Delaware: Venugopal Kalvacharla and Rubella Goswami- Research is in progress on
epigenomic and transcriptomic profiling of common bean where genome-wide profiling of the
histone modifications and RNA-seq of rust infected common bean was reported. Two Master’s
students have graduated and several under-graduates have been trained. Dr. Goswami, who had
previously been the dry bean pathologist at NDSU, was recently hired as a faculty at Delaware
State University. Among other things, she will also be working on various diseases of common
beans including root rots.
Wyoming: Jim Heitholt- Studies are being conducted on genotype x environment interaction,
nitrogen application and rhizobial inoculants. There are grad students in the program working on
nitrogen fixation. They conducted a workshop on direct harvesting for upright varieties. The
microbiology group at Laramie is working on Rhizobium etli isolates from Beltsville which will
be used for greenhouse studies.
A drought-by-genotype study was conducted in the greenhouse at Laramie during the summer
months and it was found that seed size was unaffected by drought. There was no
drought-by-genotype interaction on seed yield, pod number, number of seed per plant, or seed
size but for seed per pod the interaction was significant. Drought reduced root mass (measured at
maturity) by 20% (but drought did not affect root-to-shoot ratio or stalk mass at maturity.
Nitrogen rate study at one location in Laramie with the cultivar Maverick was conducted using
rates of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 pounds of N per acre applied as NH4NO3. Ground cover (rated
visually) at 95 DAP was also significantly higher in the high N treatments with the 100 pound N
treatment attaining 80% cover and the 0 N treatment attaining only 47%. Effect of N rate on
reproductive biomass was significant with the 60 and 100 pound N treatments averaging 54%
more pod/seed mass than the 0 and 20 pound N treatments. A rhizobia inoculant vs no-inoculant
study with three genotypes, CO46348, UI537, and Longs Peak was conducted in the field at
Laramie. No genotype-by-inoculant interaction was observed on any variable. Few notable
genotype-by-N level interactions found in a N-by-genotype study was conducted in the field at
Laramie with nine cultivars.
e-reports
IMPACT STATEMENTS:
 Release of several new varieties with improved agronomic traits and disease resistance
such as, two cultivars from Puerto Rico, Beniquez and Badillo; two cultivars from North
Dakota, Talon and Rosie; and two cultivars from Michigan, Zenith and Alpena.
 Release of number of new breeding lines with resistance to white mold, bacterial blight
and improved agronomic or processing qualities as well as development of a sub-core
collection of Plant Introduction (PI) lines for beans eaten as immature pods.
 Improvement in understanding bean pathogens and development tools/methods available
to reduce losses due to disease, including- identification of genes for resistance to
common bacterial blight; characterization of the virulence patterns of isolates of the
angular leaf spot, ashy stem blight and common bacterial blight pathogens; development
of quick screening methods for root rot pathogens for aggressiveness and assessment of
potential for disease transmission through planting of seeds with different levels of
anthracnose infection.
 Development of several diversity panels of different types of beans that can be used in
breeding for a variety of traits such as the Durango diversity panel, Tepary bean diversity
panel, Black bean panel and the Andean Diversity Panel.
Puerto Rico
Project Director:
James Beaver
Participants: Scientists: James Beaver, Mildred Zapata, Myrna Alameda (retired) and
Consuelo Estevez
Technician: Abiezer González
Products:
Web site: Recommendations for bean production in Puerto Rico is available to farmers,
extensionists and students at the following web site http://academic.uprm.edu/jbeaver/
Improved bean germplasm: Participation in the development and release of bean cultivars
‘Beniquez’ and ‘Badillo’ and improved bean germplasm TARS LFR1, PR0806-80, PR0806-81,
PR0401-259, PR0650-31, TARS-MST1 and SB-DT1
Accomplishments:
Major activities completed;
 Development and release of bean cultivars ‘Beniquez’ and ‘Badillo’ and improved bean
germplasm TARS LFR1, PR0806-80, PR0806-81, PR0401-259, PR0650-31, TARSMST1 and SB-DT1.
 Identification of genes for resistance to common bacterial blight.
 Characterization of the virulence patterns of isolates of the angular leaf spot and ashy
stem blight and common bacterial blight pathogens.
 The project made progress toward all of the specific objectives:
 Conduct a bean breeding program by crossing promising parents and selecting breeding
lines for adaptation, agronomic traits and disease resistance and evaluate the performance
of advanced generation breeding lines on experiment stations and farms



Study the inheritance of resistance to common bean diseases,
Isolate and characterize bean pathogens in Puerto Rico
Provide a winter nursery service for U.S. bean breeding programs
Tim Porch, USDA-ARS-TARS, Mayaguez, PR
Breeding lines developed from a second cycle of recurrent selection for drought in the
collaborative shuttle breeding with the U. of Nebraska were evaluated in Nebraska and in Puerto
Rico in 2015. In collaboration with USDA-ARS-Prosser, over 200 bulk breeding populations
have been developed for abiotic and biotic traits in Mesoamerican and Andean genetic
backgrounds and are freely available. A diversity analysis of angular leaf spot isolates from
Central America, Puerto Rico, and Tanzania is being conducted through sequencing of specific
loci in collaboration with the U. of Puerto Rico. Evaluation methods, virulence analysis, and the
genetics of the response to ashy stem blight is being conducted on both a RIL population and on
the panel with the U. of Puerto Rico. GWAS analysis is being conducted on a number of abiotic
stress traits in the ADP and BASE120 panels and in a Mesoamerican RIL population.
A tepary diversity panel (TDP) was developed and genotyped using genotyping-by-sequencing.
The TDP was evaluated for response to bean common mosaic virus and biological nitrogen
fixation, and a small set of accessions were identified with BCMV resistance. Agronomic traits
were evaluated in Puerto Rico, Arizona, and Colorado. In addition, advanced lines of tepary
(Phaseolus acutifolius) in a tepary adaptation trial (TAT) were generated, and are currently being
tested at Colorado State through a shuttle breeding effort, and in Central America.
A database of the Andean Diversity Panel (ADP), and SNP genotypic information on the ADP
generated through genotyping-by-sequencing are being made available for use through the FtFARS Grain Legumes Project website http://arsftfbean.uprm.edu/bean/.
Washington
Theodore Kisha, Giuliana Naratto
Dry bean nutrient analysis and characterization of exotic germplasm research at Washington
State University in 2015 are summarized below:
Nutrient analysis of selected dry beans: Of the more than 20,000 Phaseolus accessions held at
the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS), the most abundant species by far is P.
vulgaris L. with over 17,000 accessions. Of these, 177 are described as “snap” varieties, grown
for harvest as fresh vegetable, while the remainder are described as “dry beans”. Among these,
90 are classified as nuña beans, or the Peruvian “popping” bean. These beans have been selected
and raised among the Andean natives in the high mountains for millennia and have the unique
characteristic of bursting when subjected to heat, making them a high protein food in conditions
where boiling would consume scarce fuel. This property also makes these beans a potential
nutritious snack food, both in and of itself, as well as in the form of an extruded product. We
analyzed the molecular diversity of 35 nuña and 8 common dry bean accessions and compared a
range of nutritional factors, including protein, starch, sugars, phytate, and antioxidant activity.
Genetic analysis using AFLP markers showed nuñas were distinct from the common dry beans
analyzed, and there were two distinct groups within the nuñas. There was a similar wide range of
nutritional characteristics within both the common dry beans and the nuñas. Values for nuñas
and common bean respectively were: protein (18-25 and 17-27%), extractable polyphenols (50350 and 50-450 mg GAE/100g), non-extractable polyphenols (50-220 and 70-175 mg
GAE/100g), phytate (0.45-1.2 and 0.6-1.0%), and total antioxidant activity (8-52 and 7-48
mgTE). There is enough genetic variation in both nuña and common dry beans to breed popping
beans adapted to a temperate, long-day environment and to develop a highly nutritious snack
food for America.
Genetic Diversity of North American wild kidney bean (Phaseolus polystachios) in the eastern
United States: North American wild kidney bean or thicket bean (Phaseolus polystachios (L.)
Britton, Sterns, & Poggenb.) is a perennial vine found in the eastern United States from Texas to
Connecticut. Habitat destruction and urbanization are limiting its distribution: e.g., it was once
prevalent in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, but has not been seen there since the
late 1800’s. Crop wild relatives are a critical source of genetic diversity, often holding untapped
genes for breeding of domesticated plants in agriculture for disease resistance, yield, quality, and
adaptation to climate change, as well as ecologically important members of natural habitat. The
closest cultivated relative of P. polystachios is P. lunatus, the lima bean. Through coevolution in
its natural habitat, P. polystachios may have acquired true resistance to the ubiquitous pathogen
white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) and provide a source for interspecific transfer. The
Western Regional Plant Introduction Station of the National Plant Germplasm System holds over
17,000 accessions of Phaseolus from 47 species groups, but has only 10 accessions of the wild
Phaseolus polystachios, 5 of which were only recently collected in Florida. Understanding
genetic diversity is critical for identifying areas to target for recovering maximum genetic
representation. Molecular markers are an important tool for analyzing the extent and distribution
of genetic diversity within and among wild populations and are important for identifying
geographic gaps for collecting underrepresented genotypes. We analyzed nine accessions from
the USDA collection along with sixteen herbarium samples provided by the Smithsonian
Institution using 231 AFLP molecular markers from six primer combinations. While the DNA
from the herbarium samples was somewhat degraded, markers at and below 200 bp were readily
discernible and showed four distinct clusters. One herbarium sample from Florida was distinct
from the others and, because of the lobed leaves, is likely P. smilacifolius. The USDA accession
from Texas was very unique and has been reclassified as P. texensis. The level of distinction
among the samples studied here reinforces the need for continued collection of this diverse
species. A collection expedition was carried out in October and additional populations were
collected in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Missouri.
Nebraska
Jim Steadman and Carlos A. Urrea
Root, stem and crown rots are increasingly becoming a yield constraint to dry bean production.
The major soil-borne pathogens we have found associated with root, stem and crown rots include
Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani and
Macrophomina phaseolina. Identification of the major pathogens causing root rots helps direct
breeding program efforts for disease resistance. Symptomatic bean samples were collected from
bean fields in Nebraska and Puerto Rico. Traditional fungal isolation and molecular and
morphological identification and sequencing DNA from root tissue guided fungal genus and
species information. Fusarium species were detected in 82% of DNA sequenced from all
Nebraska root samples and 83% of the isolated pathogenic fungi. Nearly 50% of the isolates
from Puerto Rico were Macrophomina phaseolina. Both DNA analysis with species specific
primers and sequencing of pathogenic isolates identified Fusarium spp. as the most common
pathogens in Nebraska and Macrophomina phaseolina to be more dominant in Puerto Rico.
The main pathogens reported to cause root and crown rots of dry bean are Fusarium solani,
Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina.
Determining pathogenicity of putative causal agents in the root and crown rot complex is
required but no simple tests were found in the literature. We compared 4 previously published
fungal aggressiveness tests: detached leaf, stem, cup and straw and found significant differences
among the pathogenicity testing methods (P<0.001 at 0.05 significance). The straw test had the
highest disease incidence (100%) and highest mean disease damage score (5.8 ± 1.87 SD on the
CIAT 1 – 9 scale) for all the tested pathogens. The straw test can be used as an easy and
inexpensive method to separate pathogenic from non-pathogenic isolates for the major fungal
and oomycete root pathogens of dry bean.
Multisite screening was used to identify and verify partial resistance to white mold in common
bean. There were 6 field tests conducted in 6 locations testing 7 lines. In the field tests, all 7 lines
were significantly more resistant than Beryl. The results of the 4 field tests reported were that 3
bean lines, GN 031-A-11, pinto USPT-WM-12 and snap bean ASR 1002 were similar to the
resistant check G122 with intermediate resistance while black B10244 and red R12859 were
similar to Bunsi. Navy N11283 and GN G12901 were less susceptible than Beryl. The
greenhouse trials tested 11 entries, plus 3 controls, using the straw test on 21- to 28-day-old
G122 bean plants. The greenhouse results indicate that 3 bean lines had ratings similar to G122
including 031-A-11 and USPT-WM-12 while 7 lines had ratings similar to Bunsi; however,
greenhouse conditions are move favorable and allow the fungus to grow in optimal conditions
which is less likely to be encountered in the field. All field entries including pinto, great
northern, black, navy and cranberry seed classes were rated lower in susceptibility than Beryl.
Progress in incorporating WM resistance into dry bean lines with commercial potential validates
use of multisite screening
The 2015 evaluation of NE great northern and pinto lines with the rust pathogen under field
conditions was conducted at Beltsville, MD. Almost all of the NE lines in the pinto nursery were
resistant to the prevalent races of rust. However, the great northern nursery had several entries
with intermediate rust resistance. One GN entry had a susceptible reaction. As in previous years,
the spreader rows were inoculated with five races of the rust pathogen: 38, 39, 40, 41, and 43.
Coordinated, participated in, and distributed the regional WRBT trial planted at CO, ID, WA,
and NE. Participated in the regional MRPN trial planted at ND, MI, CO, and NE. Contributed
two great northern and two Nebraska pinto bean lines to both trials. Coordinated, participated in,
and distributed the DBDN. Most of the DBDN lines are from the Shuttle Breeding between NE
and PR. This trial was conducted in CO, NE, MI, and is being planted in PR.
The second generation of dry bean lines from the Shuttle Breeding between NE and PR was
tested in 2015 under drought stress and non-stress conditions. Irrigation was stopped at
flowering stage (terminal stress). Lines from the first cycle of Shuttle Breeding were used as
reference checks. Data are being complied and analyzed. This summer a set of drought tolerant
lines from previous years were screened for heat tolerance. Data are being analyzed.
In the next few days a great northern line will be released as a cultivar based on its performance
in Nebraska since 2010. A set of elite great northern/pinto lines have been tested in growers’
fields under the ‘Mother and Baby’ Trial scheme. Data from these trials, the regional trials
described above, and disease screening trials are being compiled. Data from trials evaluating the
yield of different market classes (great northern, pinto, reds, blacks, light red kidney, and
cranberries) are being analyzed. Several lines within each market class appeared to perform
better than the reference checks.
Three bacterial wilt RILs were advanced to F2:3 through single seed descent. We will continue
selfing the RILs until F4:5.
Wisconsin
James Nienhuis, Dept. of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Understanding and improving flavor in beans : screening the USDA Phaseolus core collection
for pod sugar and flavor compounds in snap and dry bean accessions
The objective of our W3150 research is to gain knowledge regarding variation in sugar and
flavor content among a sample of dry bean and green pod-type PI accessions from the USDA
Phaseolus Germplasm Core Collection, Pullman, WA. Knowledge of the variation will allow
better utilization of germplasm resources in the development of new bean cultivars with more
desirable sugar and flavor profiles. The results of this project could be used to market product
quality and offer unique opportunities to expand market share to an increasingly health conscious
population.
Dr. Kisha USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA developed a diverse sub-core of 94 Plant Introductions
(PI) characterized as snap beans, Romano-types, and other beans eaten as edible immature pods,
and 20 dry bean PI accessions. In addition checks included a kidney bean (Montcalm, Andean
gene pool) as well as 8 cultivars (e.g. Caprice, Huntington, 04-88, OSU5402, OSU5630, Masai,
Slenderpack, Tapia) representing the various market classes consumed as edible green pods
currently grown commercially in the United States.
A large positive correlation (r=0.79**)was observed between the simple sugars Glucose and
Fructose. In contrast a large negative correlation was observed beweeen the disaccharide sucrose
with both monosaccharides, glucose (r=-0.37) and fructose (r=-0.43). Glucose concentration had
a mean of 19.96 mg g-1 dry weight, and ranged from near zero to over 40mg g-1 dry weight. P.I
accessions with high concentrations of sucrose were generally both heirloom and modern
commercial snap beans cultivars, e.g. Provider, Eagle, Cascade, Hystyle and BBL47. Fructose
concentration had a mean of 19.9 mg g-1 dry weight, and ranged from near zero to over 50mg g-1
dry weight. Sucrose had a much lower concentration of 3.7 mg g-1 dry weight, and ranged from
near zero to over 14 mg g-1 dry weight.
Michigan
James D. Kelly and Karen A. Cichy
Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, USDA-ARS, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI
48824
Bean Breeding Nurseries
The MSU dry bean breeding and genetics program conducted 12 yield trials in 2015 in ten
market classes and participated in the growing and evaluation of the Cooperative Dry Bean,
Midwest Regional Performance, National Drought and the National Sclerotinia Nurseries in
Michigan and winter nursery in Puerto Rico. All yield trials at Frankenmuth were direct
harvested. Large-seeded kidney and cranberry trials, at Montcalm were rod-pulled. The white
mold trial was direct harvested. Temperatures were moderate for the 2015 season and only
exceeding 90F for a few days in July. Overall rainfall for the 3-summer months at the Saginaw
Valley Research and Extension Center (SVREC) was equivalent to the 30-year average of 8.5”.
A moderate dry period occurred from June 16-July 13 with only 0.7” of rainfall which reduced
the overall plant size and resulted in lower overall yields. A high incidence of common bacterial
blight resulted in the nurseries and allowed for selection of resistant lines in a range of seed
types. Rainfall patterns at the Montcalm Research Farm (MRF) were more extreme with a total
rainfall of over 5” within two days of planting. This resulted in major flooding in some areas,
soil crusting and compaction in other areas which resulted in low germination. In addition soil
temperatures remained low in this critical period and a high incidence of root rots diseases
occurred which also reduced germination and stands. The Andean kidney and cranberry beans
were the most affected by the stresses whereas the Mesoamerican small and medium seeded
black, navy, pinto, GN, and red beans managed to tolerate the conditions and had near normal
stands. Overall vigor of the kidney and cranberry beans was poor resulting in small plants that
had low overall yields. Plots at MRF had supplemental irrigation did contribute to the
development of white mold. Incidence in the National Sclerotinia Initiative nursery was very low
in the susceptible checks despite the overall lower temperatures and excess irrigation. The major
problem at MRF was the presence of severe root rots mainly Fusarium that was accentuated by
the cooler soil conditions early in the season. The unfavorable condition allowed for the selection
of lines with tolerance to root rot and with resistance to common bacterial blight in the kidney
bean nurseries.
Black Bean Color Retention
Color retention after canning is a major concern for the bean canning industry. Significant
genetic variability exits and a molecular marker for color retention would be very useful to
breeders. A panel of 71 black bean breeding lines was compiled from the major public U.S.
black bean breeding programs, including Colorado State University, Michigan State University,
North Dakota State University, University of Nebraska, USDA-ARS in East Lansing, MI,
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and Prosser, Washington. These lines were grown in replicated field
trials at the SVREC, Richville, MI in 2013 and 2014. Each year beans were canned and
evaluated for canning quality and color retention. Anthocyanins were also measured on raw and
canned samples. The variability for color retention in the panel ranged from a low of 1.75 to a
high of 4.75. These values are based on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is light brown and 5 is dark
black. The ratings were given by a sensory panel of ~20 individuals. Each of the bean lines were
genotyped with the BARCBean6K_3 SNP array of 5,398 SNP markers. In total, 2,799 SNP
markers were polymorphic. The phenotypic and genotypic information was used for genome
wide association analysis. Genomic regions associated with color retention were found on
chromosomes Pv02, Pv03, Pv04, Pv05, Pv06, Pv09, and Pv11.
Outcomes/Impact
Black bean consumption in the U.S. has been increasing steadily since 1980 when consumption
was 0.01 lbs per person per year until 2014 when consumption was 0.86 per capita (USDA-ERS;
VGS-355, 2015).Currently the black bean variety Zorro from MSU breeding program is grown
on 80% of the acres planted to black beans in Michigan and has provided growers with
opportunity to reduce costs by direct harvesting the crop. Increase value to growers is estimated
at $5m per year based on 10% yield advantage and savings in time and equipment.
Certified seed was produced of the new high-yielding, disease resistant, upright full-season black
bean variety, Zenith, and the new upright navy bean variety, Alpena that has excellent canning
quality and uniform maturity. Zenith possesses superior color retention following canning, a trait
the processing industry needs. Alpena exhibits natural dry down at maturity which eliminates the
application of desiccants prior to harvest. Foundation and certified seed of both varieties was
produced in 2015.
Two master’s students and two doctoral students graduated from the bean breeding and genetics
program in 2015 and their thesis titles are listed below under dissertations.
Target Audience: Bean Farmers, Bean Elevator Managers in Michigan; National Food Industry
and Food Processors and Consumers; Bean Researchers
Dissertations:
Heilig, J.A. 2015. QTL mapping of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in dry bean; Dry bean
performance under organic production systems. Doctoral Dissertation, Michigan State
University, East Lansing MI. 153pp.
Hoyos-Villegas, V. 2015. Identification of genomic regions and development of breeding
resources associated with drought tolerance in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Doctoral
Dissertation, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI. 132pp.
Nakedde, T. 2015. Identification and mapping of QTL associated with Fusarium root rot
resistance and root architecture traits in black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Master’s Thesis,
Michigan State University, East Lansing. MI. 119pp.
Zuiderveen, G.H. 2015.The genetics of anthracnose resistance in common bean. Master’s Thesis,
Michigan State University, East Lansing MI. 68pp.
North Dakota
Juan M. Osorno, Julie Pasche, Phil McClean
Activities:
Research activities within this project included collaborative work on: i) Midwest Regional
Performance Nursery (MRPN), ii) development of pinto lines with Multiple Disease Resistance
(MDR) to rust, anthracnose, and common bacterial blight (CBB), iii) Evaluation of the Andean
Diversity Panel (ADP) to root rots under field conditions, iv) evaluation of the Phaseolus core
collection for resistance to halo blight, v) evaluation of NDSU breeding lines for CBB resistance,
vi) development of slow darkening pinto lines, and vii) identification of genomic regions
associated with plant architectural traits, viii) evaluation of the transmission of seed-borne
anthracnose.
Outcomes:
All this collaborative work has allowed the identification of at least 6 pinto MDR breeding lines
that offer moderate to high levels of disease resistance and agronomic performance, the
identification of 2 slow darkening pintos with competitive seed yield and agronomic
performance in comparison to the commercial checks, and the identification of several Andean
genotypes with good levels of resistance to both root rots and halo blight. In addition, a new dark
red kidney has been released as ‘Talon’, and a new light red kidney as ‘Rosie’. These 2 new
cultivars are well adapted to the growing conditions in Minnesota, which is the largest producer
of kidney beans in the country. In addition to their competitive agronomic performance and high
seed yield, these 2 cultivars offer intermediate levels of resistance to the root rot complex
(mostly Fusarium spp. and Pythium spp.) and bacterial diseases (CBB and halo blight). Genomic
regions associated with resistance have been identified. In addition, several genomic regions
have been identified that are associated with architectural traits such as lodging, stem diameter,
stem stiffness, and plant height, among others. A region in pv07 is of special interest and it is
currently under more detailed study. Resistance to CBB was observed in 38 and 272 of over 600
NDSU breeding lines evaluated under greenhouse conditions from Andean and MiddleAmerican backgrounds, respectively. In field trials, planting seed produced from anthracnoseinfected plants increased the level of disease in the field and the level of discoloration on
daughter seed, and decreased yield regardless of the level of visual symptoms on the planted
seed. Under highly favorable disease conditions, differences in disease severity, yield and seed
discoloration were not significantly different among planted seeds with no, low, moderate or
high levels of symptoms.
Idaho
Shree Singh
Dry bean breeding and genetics research carried out at University of Idaho, Kimberly Research
and Extension Center in 2015 are summarized below:
Pinto Bean Breeding. Three advanced pinto bean breeding lines, namely UIP 35, UIP 40, and
UIP 46 were evaluated in the field at Kimberly, Idaho; and in the Western Regional Bean Trial
(WRBT) at Fort Collins, Colorado; Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and at Othello, Washington. They also
were tested in the National Cooperative Dry Bean Nursery (CDBN) at approximately 10
locations in the US and Canada. Data on general adaptation, growth habit, maturity, seed yield
and other seed characteristics, and response to rust were recorded. However, data from most
locations still need to be processed and compiled. Furthermore, seed of approximately 700
single-plant selections from the above three breeding lines was increased during the 2014-2015
winter-season in Chile, New Zealand and/or Puerto Rico. All harvested seed from the plant-toprogeny rows unacceptable and darkened was discarded. Seed of approximately 175 selected
plant-to-progeny rows was again multiplied in a 4-row plot/breeding line during the summer
planting in the Trial Ground at Kimberly, Idaho in 2015. They were also tested for their response
to bean rust at Fort Collins, Colorado and for a moderate drought stress at Kimberly, Idaho.
Based on their response to rust and general adaptation and uniformity for key morphological
traits including growth habit; flower color; leaf type; bracteole type; maturity; seed size, shape,
and color; and the post-harvest seed coat color darkening, seed from 33 breeding lines
representing the original three advanced breeding lines (UIP 35, UIP 40, UIP 46) was harvested.
These breeding lines will be tested for their response to bean common mosaic virus in the
greenhouse and for the post-harvest seed coat color darkening at room temperature during the
winter and early spring, and the most promising breeding lines will be released to Idaho bean
growers as three new cultivars in the late spring/early summer of 2016. Also, the available
quantity of the Breeder or Stock seed of each new cultivar will be supplied to the Idaho
Foundation Seed Program in May 2016. Finally, the new cultivars will be registered in the
Journal of Plant Registration.
White Mold Resistance. Seed of one interspecific pinto bean breeding line, namely VCP 13
derived from a recurrent backcross of pinto ‘UI 320*2/PI 439534 (Phaseolus coccineus, a
member of the secondary gene pool), and one pinto (PRP 153) and three Andean (PRA 152,
PRA 154, PRA 155) breeding lines with high levels of broad-spectrum pyramided white mold
(caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) resistance from across Phaseolus species was again
multiplied in the field at Kimberly, Idaho in 2015. They also were simultaneously screened on
the same plants against the pathogen isolates ARS14D, ARS14M, ARS14R, ARS15T, CO467,
ND710, and NY133 in the greenhouse at Kimberly, Idaho in 2015. Furthermore, the public
release of these breeding lines was approved by the Idaho Foundation Seed Program Committee
and the Director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Stations. Thus, they were released for public
use in 2015, two manuscripts have been submitted to the Journal of Plant Registration, and their
seed for research purposes is now available to the public.
New York
Griffiths, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Cornell NYSAES, Geneva NY
D. Halseth, Dept. Horticulture, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
A major emphasis of our variety testing program has been on light red kidneys developed by
Don Wallace, including: 773-V98 (now named “Wallace”) and those developed by Griffiths,
including ‘Cornell 605’, ‘Cornell 612’ and LRK-1. One of the primary purposes underlying the
breeding program has been to identify LRK lines with yield and canning quality comparable to
or higher than ‘RedKanner’, but with earlier maturity similar to CELRK. New populations that
were developed to transfer and select upright vine architecture in red kidney breeding lines
following crosses with lines received from MSU, were planted in Geneva NY and selections of
upright types were made from segregating F2 populations. Eighty of these selections were
planted in Isabela, Puerto Rico with a W-2150 USDA-ARS collaborator Dr. Tim Porch in
January 2015, and will were evaluated and selected in April. Selections were planted and
evaluated in Geneva NY in 2015, together with checks and F2 lines from new crosses made with
2014 selections that were advanced in the greenhouse this Spring.
A significant problem in dry bean production is susceptibility to white mold (Sclerotinia
sclerotiorum), particularly during cool, damp seasons. Several lines have been developed by
Griffiths in the red kidney and to a lesser extent in the black bean market classes. These lines
were initially based on material derived from crosses of Cornell lines with ‘Red Kanner’ and
have gone through two cycles of crossing to ‘Wallace’ to improve yield, lodging, canning and
maturity. Four new higher yielding breeding lines developed out of the latest cycle, two light red
kidney and two dark red kidney which were tested in replicated yield trials in 2014 at
Livingstone NY and at Freeville NY in 2013 and 2014. The LRK lines (WMLRK-1, WMLRK6) and the two DRK lines (WMDRK-1, WMDRK-2) all performed well in yield trials. LRK-6
and DRK-1 look promising for advancement and further testing in 2016 dry bean nurseries, and
are currently being increased.
Screening and selection of common bean lines previously bred for white mold resistance was
undertaken in field and greenhouse trials to improve the type of the most resistant lines, and new
breeding lines were compared to national entries in the W-2150 greenhouse trials in
2014/2015. New black kidney bean breeding lines were also developed and stabilized. Heat
tolerant germplasm has previously been selected that can reduce pod abortion or split-set during
high temperatures, this was incorporated in crosses and field tested in January 2015 at sites in
Western Kenya. These genotypes were evaluated for yield under heat stress in collaboration
with USDA-TARS Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and with ACL in Homabay Kenya. Snap bean
breeding lines with rust resistance (Ur4 and Ur11) introgressed from USDA Beltsville, and were
also increased and tested in Kenya in January 2015, they were initially selected to combine the
two rust genes in a heat tolerant snap bean background, together with additional crosses to
pyramid the Ur5 gene, selections were made from these trials. New upright types are also being
selected for 2016 field trials based on field, greenhouse and seed quality selections. These
include ten ne black kidney lines being advanced as a potential new market class of dry beans.
Virus resistance in snap bean breeding lines has been selected in multiple greenhouse screens in
2015, introgressing genes controlling resistance to CMV, BYMV, CYVV and BCMV/BCMNV.
This work included introgression of known genes including a CYVV resistance gene from
clipper, bc-3 and the I-gene, new genes introgressed from scarlet runner beans, great northern
beans, black beans and navy beans. Differential reactions to multiple virus inoculations was also
undertaken in breeding lines and cultivars to identify different gene segregations, optimal
combinations, cross resistance and genetic control for re-assembling the optimal combination
into commercial cultivars. Evaluating breeding lines selected for resistance to multiple viruses
based on the sources initially selected for CMV, BYMV, CYVV and BCMV sources has resulted
in a major step forward in understanding the genetic control mechanisms and the desirable gene
combinations resulting in cross resistance (resistance to one virus providing resistance to other
viruses) combinations for protection against the major viruses being studied. Resistance to the
viruses has been introgressed into the same recurrent parent type, and the pyramided genes
provide resistance to CMV, not seen in any other genotypes. This is currently being stabilized
and advanced in F5 lines.
New populations will be advanced combining optimal combinations of virus resistance genes for
evaluation of field resistance to CMV. These will be screened in greenhouse trials, identifying
new breeding lines that can be advanced to cultivars providing yield stability. Populations of the
Andean market classes snap bean and red kidney bean are also being developed with the upright
vine architecture for increased yield and as options for smallholder growers. Lines developed
will be tested in Mayaguez Puerto Rico in collaboration with Tim Porch, Kenya in collaboration
with Charles Wasonga and multistate collaborations will be continued for white mold screening
and the development od dry bean cultivars. New black kidney bean breeding lines will be
advanced and field-tested with growers/seed companies including canning trials for quality.
Impact: Abiotic and biotic stresses cause significant reductions in yield, and increased reliance on
chemical management. The breeding of common beans for resistance to these stresses will
enable more efficient production that is less damaging environmentally. Development of white
mold resistant beans will reduce one of the largest limiting factors to bean production in the US.
Heat tolerance will prevent split set or yield reduction under high temperatures, and will enable
expansion of growing regions in developing countries to make agricultural practices more
sustainable. The development of resistant cultivars will reduce the risk of damage from aphidtransmitted virus that has caused significant yield loss in NY and Wisconsin. Dry bean
production in New York is restricted by a short growing season, and variable rainfall and
growing temperatures. The objectives of this project were to screen for genotypes with relatively
short plant maturity, stress tolerance (particularly at seed set) and utilization quality appropriate
for processing and dry pack markets. Dry bean varieties identified from these studies will allow
growers to more consistently produce a higher quality crop with higher yields while using lower
levels of inputs.
Wyoming
Jim Heitholt, Dec 2015
Dry bean variety performance evaluations were conducted at Lingle and Powell with entries
from the Cooperative Dry Bean Nursery. Results from 2014 can be found on pages 64-65 of
http://www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/_files/docs/2015-field-days-bulletin.pdf. Results from 2015 are
still being calculated.
Drought-by-genotype studies were conducted in the field at Lingle and Powell with 50 entries at
each location. At Lingle, mid-day canopy temperature readings during reproductive growth were
significantly higher for water stressed plots (P=0.09) with stressed plots averaging 29°C and
well-watered averaging 25°C. Differences in plant height were not significant between the wellwatered and water stressed treatments. At Powell, cultivars effects on plant height were
significant but drought effects were not. The tallest entry was COSD-35 at 91 cm and the
shortest was the early maturing CELRK at 46 cm. Other results, including yield, are still being
analyzed.
A drought-by-genotype study was conducted in the greenhouse at Laramie during the summer
months (sown on 19 May 2015). Cultivars used were BillZ, Centennial, Croissant, CO46348,
Longs Peak, and UI537 and there were three plants per three-gallon pot. All seed were
inoculated and the source of inoculant was a mixture of rhizobia strain from Peaceful Valley
Farm Supply (CA) and this mixture included Rhizobium leguminorsarum biovar. phaseoli.
Treatments were (1) well-watered and (2) 50% of well-watered (i.e. drought treatment). Wellwatered pots were watered each morning (and in the afternoon as well if environmental
conditions warranted). The 50% treatment pots were watered in the morning or on alternate days
as environmental conditions warranted to ensure that they received approximately half the water
of the well-watered treatment. Seed yield was reduced 25% by drought (P=0.08). Averaged
across all treatments, seed yield was 16 g per plant for the well-watered and 12 g per plant for the
drought treatment. Number of pods per plant (P=0.08), number of seed per plant (P=0.01), and
number of seed per pod (P=0.06) were also reduced by drought. Seed size was unaffected by
drought. There was no drought-by-genotype interaction on seed yield, pod number, number of
seed per plant, or seed size but for seed per pod the interaction was significant (P = 0.06) with
UI537 having 4.8 seeds per pod under well-watered conditions and 3.5 seeds per pod under
drought. Other genotypes did not exhibit such a difference between well-watered and drought in
seeds per pod. The cultivar with highest yield was UI537 which was significantly higher than
Centennial, CO46348, and Longs Peak. Seed yields of Croissant and BillZ were not
significantly lower than UI537. Drought reduced root mass (measured at maturity) by 20%
(P=0.01) but drought did not affect root-to-shoot ratio or stalk mass at maturity. Croissant had
the highest root:shoot value (0.92) whereas the other five genotypes ranged from 0.47 to 0.62.
Chlorophyll concentration of the third uppermost fully expanded leaf, as measured by SPAD
meter, showed that drought-stressed leaves were lower than the control (39 vs. 45) during
mid-podfill (62 DAP, days after planting) but not when measured at two earlier developmental
stages (28 and 36 DAP). CO46348 consistently had the highest leaf chlorophyll concentration
and Longs Peak had the lowest. Pod harvest index [PHI, seed weight/(seed+pod) weight] was
significantly higher in UI537 (0.78), CO46348 (0.77), and BillZ (0.77) than Longs Peak (0.72),
Croissant (0.72), and Centennial (0.72). The drought and drought-by-genotype effects on PHI
were not significant. Drought susceptibility index (based on yield of drought and well-watered
pots and not analyzed statistically) was lowest for Croissant (0.54) and CO46348 (0.61), higher
for BillZ, Centennial, and UI537 (all 1.11) and highest for Longs Peak (1.68).
Nitrogen rate study with the cultivar Maverick was conducted using rates of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80,
and 100 pounds of N per acre applied as NH4NO3 (during early seedling growth) in the field at
Laramie. Due to the short growing season in Laramie, the intent of this and other Laramie field
studies did not include grain yield although some mature pods developed prior to terminating the
experiment. Pre-season soil conditions were: 10 ppm N, 16 ppm P, and 324 ppm K with a pH of
7.8. Seed was sown on 29 June 2015 in 20-inch rows and all seed were inoculated with the
aforementioned rhizobia (see greenhouse study above). Plots were irrigated with approximately
1.5 inches per week. Early-season (45 and 58 DAP) chlorophyll (SPAD) readings of the third
uppermost fully-expanded leaf were not different among N levels but by mid-season (69 and 75
DAP), the two high N levels average 46 SPAD units vs. 40 for the two lowest N levels. At lateseason, chlorophyll for the four highest N levels were higher than the two lowest N levels (45 vs.
37 at 79 DAP and 39 vs. 27 at 98 DAP). By 16 Sept (79 DAP), aboveground biomass per unit
area was greater in the four highest N levels as compared to the two lowest N levels. By 11
October (104 DAP), leaf area index (LAI) and aboveground biomass per unit area tended to be
positively associated with N level but the regression was not significant. On 2 October (95
DAP), plant height of the top four N levels was greater than the two lowest levels (42 cm vs. 30
cm). Ground cover (rated visually) at 95 DAP was also significantly higher in the high N
treatments with the 100 pound N treatment attaining 80% cover and the 0 N treatment attaining
only 47%. As the season came to a close due to cold weather, the crop did not mature normally
and grain could not be separated from the pods. Thus, pods with intact seed were harvested,
oven-dried, and weighed to obtain reproductive biomass. Effect of N rate on reproductive
biomass was significant with the 60 and 100 pound N treatments averaging 54% more pod/seed
mass than the 0 and 20 pound N treatments. Although this is just one field experiment, the data
support the idea that this cultivar in this environment can benefit from early-season applications
of 60 pounds of N per acre or more. Obviously,
A rhizobia inoculant vs no-inoculant study with three genotypes, CO46348, UI537, and Longs
Peak was conducted in the field at Laramie. Sowing date was 4 July 2015 in 20-inch rows.
Pre-season soil was 13 ppm N, 21 ppm P, and 274 ppm K and pH was 7.9. No fertilizer N was
applied to the field. It has been at least 10 years since dry bean was grown in this field. Four
plots were assigned to each cultivar; two plots for each genotype received inoculant and the other
two plots did not. The inoculant use was described earlier. Plots were irrigated with 1.5 inches
per week. There were very few mid-season trends that suggested an inoculant effect. However,
during mid to late season, leaf chlorophyll for the inoculated plants higher than the uninoculated
plants (46 vs. 35) as was ground cover (57% vs. 42%). The final chlorophyll reading was also
higher in the inoculated vs. the uninoculated (37 vs. 26). Genotypes differed in leaf chlorophyll
with CO46348 higher than UI537 and Longs Peak on four of the five measurement dates.
Reproductive biomass was greater in CO46348 than UI537 and Longs Peak but this appeared to
be more related to these cultivars’ relative maturity than yield superiority. At the season’s end,
Longs Peak was taller (58 cm) than UI537 and CO46348 (37 cm and 27 cm, respectively).
Nodules were collected from roots during the late season but no significant effects were found on
either nodule mass or nodule number. No genotype-by-inoculant interaction was observed on
any variable. The results of this study were inconclusive.
An N-by-genotype study was conducted in the field at Laramie with nine cultivars. Two N levels
were 0 and 60 lbs per acre applied at sowing in the form of urea. Genotypes included BillZ,
CO46348, Croissant, Longs Peak, ND307, Rio Rojo, Stampede, Talon, and UI537. Preseason
soil nutrient levels were 7 ppm N, 3 ppm P, and 324 ppm K and pH was 7.9. Fertilizer P (triple
superphosphate) was added to all plots correct the deficiency. Plots were sown on 18 July 2015
in 20-inch rows. Chlorophyll concentration (SPAD) of the third uppermost fully expanded leaf
was different among genotypes at all four sampling dates and different among N levels on the
final three sampling dates. As was demonstrated in the previous studies, CO46348 exhibited
higher SPAD readings for all four sampling dates. Stampede ranked lowest on the first three
sampling dates. On the first sampling date, SPAD readings averaged 40 but favored the 60 lb N
treatment on sampling date two (41 vs 38), sampling date three (38 vs 32), and sampling date
four (41 vs 31). Total aboveground biomass at season’s end was greater in the 60 pound N
treatment than the 0 pound N treatment but reproductive biomass was similar between N levels.
There were few notable genotype-by-N level interactions found in this study. I am currently in
the process of repeating this study in the greenhouse with slightly fewer genotypes.
Other Activities
A workshop on direct bean harvest held in Powell on 21 August 2015.
Heitholt increased seed for 80 PI lines (Phaseolus vulgaris) obtained from the USDA-ARS
Collection in Pullman. The microbiology group at Laramie is culturing eight Rhizobium etli
isolates obtained from Beltsville. These isolates are going to be used in greenhouse studies.
PUBLICATIONS:
Astudillo-Reyes, C., A.C. Fernandez, K.A. Cichy. 2015. Transcriptome Characterization of
developing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) pods from two genotypes with contrasting seed zinc
concentrations. PLoS ONE 10(9): e0137157. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0137157.
Beaver, J.S., J.C. Rosas, T.G. Porch, M.A. Pastor-Corrales, G. Godoy-Lutz and E.H. Prophete.
2015. Registration of PR0806-80 and PR0806-81 white bean germplasm with resistance to
BGYMV, BCMV, BCMNV and rust. J. Plant Reg. 9:208-211.
Beaver, J.S., G. Godoy-Lutz, J.R. Steadman and T.G. Porch. 2011. Release of ‘Beníquez’ white
bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar. J. of Agric. of the Univ. of Puerto Rico. 95:237-240.
Beaver, J.C., E.H. Prophete, J.C. Rosas, G. Godoy-Lutz, J.R. Steadman and T.G. Porch. 2014.
Release of ‘XRAV-40-4’ black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivar. J. of Agric. of the Univ. of
Puerto Rico. 98:83-87.
Berry, M., K.A. Cichy, Y. Ai, and P.K.W. Ng. 2015. Phytoheamagglutination activity in
extruded dry bean powder. Ann. Rep. Bean Improv. Coop. 58:1-2.
Burt, A.J., H. M. William, G. Perry, R. Khanal, K. P. Pauls, J. D. Kelly, A. Navabi. 2015.
Candidate gene identification with SNP marker-based fine mapping of anthracnose resistance
gene Co-4 in common bean. PLoS ONE 10(10): e0139450. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0139450.
Estevez de Jensen, C., A. Vargas, T.G. Porch, and J.S. Beaver. 2014. Evaluation of virulence of
different isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina in common bean using two inoculation methods.
Bean Improv. Coop. 57:227-228.
Cichy, K.A., T.G. Porch, J.S. Beaver, P. Cregan, D. Fourie, R.P. Glahn, M.A. Grusak, K.
Kamfwa, D.N. Katuuramu, P. McClean, E. Mndolwa, S. Nchimbi-Msolla, M.A. Pastor-Corrales
and P.N. Miklas. 2015. A Phaseolus vulgaris diversity panel for Andean bean improvement.
Crop Science 55:2149-2160. doi:10.2135/cropsci2014.09.0653.
Cichy, K.A., J.A. Wiesinger, and F.A. Mendoza. 2015. Genetic diversity and genome wide
association analysis of cooking time in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Theoretical and
Applied Genetics 128:1555-1567.
Ghising, K., J. Vasquez-Guzman, S. Schroder, A. Soltani, S.M. Moghaddam, S. Mamidi, P.
McClean, J. M. Osorno, K. McPhee, J. Pasche, and R. Lamppa. 2015. Genome-wide approaches
for identification of genomic regions associated with halo blight resistance in the USDA core
collection of common bean. Presented at: Annu. Meet. American Society of Agron.-Crop Sci.
Society of America, Soil Sci. Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA); Nov. 15-18;
Minneapolis, MN.
Ghising, K., J. Vasquez-Guzman, S. Schroder, A. Soltani, S.M. Moghaddam, S. Mamidi, P.
McClean, J. M. Osorno, K. McPhee, J. Pasche, and R. Lamppa. 2015. Identifying genomic
regions associated with halo blight resistance within the USDA core collection of common bean.
Presented at: Bean Improv. Coop. Biennial Meeting; Nov. 2-4; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Guachambala Cando, M.S., M. Zapata, J.S. Beaver and T.G. Porch. 2014. Inheritance of high
levels of resistance to common bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli
in common bean. Ann. Rep. Bean Improv. Coop. 57:179-180.
Halvorson, J., R.S. Lamppa, and J.S. Pasche. 2015. Characterization of Colletotrichum
lindemuthianum races infecting dry edible bean in North Dakota. Canadian J. Plant Path.
(Accepted 11/2/2015).
Halvorson, J.M., K. Simons, R.L. Conner, and J.S. Pasche. 2015. Seed-to-seedling transmission
of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in dry edible beans. Presented at: Bean Improv. Coop.
Biennial Meeting; Nov. 2-4; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Hart, J.P. and P.D. Griffiths. 2015. Genotyping-by-sequencing enabled mapping and marker
development for the By-2 potyvirus resistance allele in common bean. Plant Genome 8:1-14.
Hart, J.P. and P.D. Griffiths. 2014. Resistance to Clover yellow vein virus in common bean
germplasm. Crop Sci. 54: 2609-2618.
Hoyos-Villegas, V., W. Mkwaila, P.B. Cregan and J.D. Kelly. 2015. QTL analysis of white mold
avoidance in pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Crop Sci. 55:2116-2129.
doi:10.2135/cropsci2015.02.0106.
Lamppa, R.S., J.M. Halvorson, and J.S. Pasche. 2015. Production of anthracnose infected dry
bean seed under greenhouse conditions. Presented at: Bean Improv. Coop. Biennial Meeting;
Nov. 2-4; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Kamfwa, K., K.A. Cichy, and J.D. Kelly. 2015. Genome-wide association analysis of symbiotic
nitrogen fixation in common bean. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 128:1999-2017. doi.
10.1007/s00122-015-2562-5.
Kamfwa, K., K.A Cichy, and J. Kelly. 2015. Genome-wide association study of agronomic traits
in common bean. The Plant Genome 8: doi:10.3835/plantgenome2014.09.0059.
Kelly, J.D., G.V. Varner, K.A. Cichy, and E.M. Wright. 2015. Registration of ‘Alpena’ Navy
Bean. J. Plant Registrations 9:10-14.
Kelly, J.D., G.V. Varner, K.A. Cichy, and E.M. Wright. 2015. Registration of ‘Zenith’ Black
Bean. J. Plant Registrations 9:15-20.
Kelly J.D., J. Trapp, P. Miklas, K.A. Cichy, and E.M. Wright. 2015. Registration of ‘Desert
Song’ Flor de Junio and ‘Gypsy Rose’ Flor de Mayo Common Bean Cultivars. J. Plant
Registrations 9:133-137.
Khankhum S., R. Valverde, M. Pastor-Corrales, J.M. Osorno, and S. Sabanadzovic. 2015. Two
endornaviruses show differential infection patterns between gene pools of Phaseolus vulgaris.
Arch. Virol. 160:1131-1137.
Mathew, F.M., L.A. Castlebury, K. Alananbeh, J.G. Jordahl, C.A. Taylor, S.M. Meyer, R.S.
Lamppa, J.S. Pasche, and S.G. Markell. 2015. Identification of Diaporthe longicolla on dry
edible pea, dry edible bean, and soybean in North Dakota. Plant Health Progress 16:71-72.
doi:10.1094/PHP-RV-14-0045.
Pasche, J.S., R.S. Lamppa, J.M. Osorno, and P. Miklas. 2015. Multiple disease resistance in dry
edible pinto bean breeding lines obtained by marker-assisted selection. Phytopathology
105(Suppl. 4):S4.108.
Porch, T.G., J.S. Beaver, G. Abawi, C. Estévez de Jensen and J.R. Smith. 2014. Registration of a
small-red dry bean germplasm, TARS-LFR1, with multiple disease resistance and superior
performance in low nitrogen soils. Journal of Plant Registrations 8:177-182.
Porch, T.G., J.S. Beaver, S. Colom, A. Vargas, Y. Trukhina and C. Estevez de Jensen. 2014.
Development of tools for Macrophomina phaseolina evaluation and for genetic improvement of
common bean. Ann. Rep. Bean Improv. Coop. 57:189-190.
Schröder S., S. Mamidi, R. Lee, M.R. McKain, P.E. McClean, and J.M. Osorno. 2015.
Optimization of genotyping by sequencing (GBS) data in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).
Mol. Breeding (Accepted).
Schröder S., S. Mafi-Moghaddam, A. Soltani, R. Lamppa, S. Mamidi, P.E. McClean, J.S.
Pasche, and J.M. Osorno. 2015. Alternative screening method reveals partial anthracnose
resistance to race 73 in 18 genotypes of the mesoamerican diversity panel. Presented at: Bean
Improv. Coop. Biennial Meeting; Nov. 2-4; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Singh, S.P., and P.N. Miklas. 2015. Breeding common bean for resistance to common blight: A
review. Crop Sci. 55:971-984.
Soltani A., M. Bello, J.M. Osorno, P.M. Miklas, P.E. McClean. 2015. Phenotypic and molecular
analysis of the transition to type II growth habit in common bean Presented at: Bean Improv.
Coop. Biennial Meeting; Nov. 2-4; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Soltani A., S. Mafi-Moghaddam, K. Walter, K. Ghising, J. Vasquez-Guzman, S. Schröder, C.F.
Velasquez, E.G. Escobar, R. Lee, P. McClean, and J.M. Osorno. 2015. Developing a waterproof
dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): identifying genotypes and genomic regions associated with
waterlogging tolerance. Presented at: Bean Improv. Coop. Biennial Meeting; Nov. 2-4; Niagara
Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Soltani A., S. Mafi-Moghaddam, J.M. Osorno, P. McClean. 2015. Identifying genomic regions
controlling plant architectural characteristics in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Presented at:
Plant and Animal Genome XXIII; Jan. 10-14; San Diego, CA.
Song Q., G. Jia, D.L. Hyten, J. Jenkins, E.Y. Hwang, S.G. Schroeder, J.M. Osorno, J. Schmutz,
S.A. Jackson, P.E. McClean, and P.B. Cregan. 2015. SNP assay development for linkage map
construction, anchoring whole genome sequence and other genetic and genomic applications in
common bean. G3: 5:2285-2290. doi:10.1534/g3.115.020594.
Sousa, L.L., A.O. Gonçalves, M.C. Gonçalves-Vidigal, G.F. Lacanallo, A.C. Fernandez, H.
Awale, and J.D. Kelly. 2015. Genetic characterization and mapping of anthracnose resistance of
Corinthiano common bean landrace cultivar. Crop Sci. 55:1900-1910.
doi:10.2135/cropsci2014.09.0604.
Traub, J., M. Naeem, J. Kelly, G. Austic, D. Kramer, and W. Loescher. 2015. Phenotyping for
heat tolerance in bean (Phaseolus spp.) using new and conventional fluorescence and gas
exchange parameters. Poster presented at: JAHS Annual Meeting; Aug. 1-4; New Orleans, LA.
Tvedt, C., S.G. Markell, and J.S. Pasche. 2015. Efficacy of in-furrow fungicides for management
of Rhizoctonia root rot of dry bean. Phytopathology abstract (In Press).
Viteri, D., K. Otto, H. Terán, H. Schwartz, and S.P. Singh. 2015. Use of four Sclerotinia
sclerotiorum isolates of different aggressiveness with multiple inoculations and evaluations to
select common beans with high levels of white mold resistance. Euphytica 204:457-472.
Viteri, D. and S.P. Singh. 2015. Inheritance of white mold resistance in an Andean common bean
A 195 and its relationship with G122. Crop Sci. 55:44-49.
Walter K., A. Soltani, C.F. Velasquez, E.G. Escobar, and J.M. Osorno. 2015. Identifying
waterlogging tolerant dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes using chlorophyll content.
Presented at: Bean Improv. Coop. Biennial Meeting; Nov. 2-4; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Zuiderveen, G.H., K. Kamfwa and J.D. Kelly. 2015. Anthracnose resistance in Andean beans.
Ann. Rep. Bean Improv. Coop. 58:9-10.
Zuiderveen, G.H., and J.D. Kelly. 2015. Genome-wide association study of anthracnose
resistance in Andean beans. Poster presented at: JAHS Annual Meeting; Aug. 1-4; New Orleans,
LA.
AUTHORIZATION: Julie S. Pasche, Chair