Location: Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research
Project Number: 6090-21000-054-005-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Mar 4, 2014
End Date: Sep 29, 2017
Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is the development and implementation of robust molecular markers and the genetic improvement of common and tepary beans to increase legume production in Central America and Haiti.
Approach:
This research project will be carried out at the USDA-ARS-TARS stations in Mayaguez and Isabela and at the University of Puerto Rico, Agricultural Experiment Station in Juana Díaz. Conventional plant breeding techniques and marker-assisted selection will be used by Legume Innovation Lab scientists to develop common bean cultivars and breeding lines with enhanced levels of disease resistance and greater tolerance to abiotic stresses. Plant breeders will focus on the most important biotic and abiotic constraints in lowland (<1000m) bean production regions in Central America and Haiti. In addition, tepary bean genetic enhancement will be undertaken through the transfer of virus resistance from common bean.
