Project Number: 5050-21430-011-08-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement

Start Date: Sep 1, 2018
End Date: Aug 31, 2021

Objective:
1) Initiate an organic kidney bean breeding program with focus on improving end use quality, including seed yield, maturity, harvestability, canning quality and taste. 2) Test new pouch processing methods for organically grown kidney and black beans. 3) Conduct outreach with farmers, processors, and consumers on organic beans.

Approach:
Kidney and black bean breeding populations will developed. Early generation and preliminary yield trials will be conducted on organic production sites in Michigan. Seed coat check, cooking time, texture, and processing quality will be evaluated starting in the F6 generation. Advanced lines will be provided to collaborators for further processing quality analyses.