Location: Grain Legume Genetics Physiology Research
Project Number: 2090-21220-003-005-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Mar 31, 2027
Objective:
This work will generate information and tools required to develop dry bean cultivars and management strategies for improving tolerance to white mold disease which causes $45 million in lost production per year and is found in all bean production regions of the US. White mold is caused by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum which infects many different crops in addition to dry bean including sunflower, soybean, canola, and cool season pulses. Control strategies include an integrated approach using resistant cultivars, optimum management practices and fungicides. This work will advance efforts to develop dry bean cultivars and management strategies to improve tolerance and reduce economic losses to white mold disease.
Specific objective is to develop dry bean cultivars that respond best to integrated strategies involving
irrigation management for control of Sclerotinia white mold disease in dry bean.
Approach:
1) Impose different irrigation delivery options to help reduce excess soil moisture and canopy wetness to reduce white mold disease pressure. Treatments include sub-irrigation, rill 'surface' irrigation high, and overhead irrigation using different amounts at different intervals.
2) Identify dry bean cultivars with different levels of tolerance and disease avoidance characteristics for best management options. Dry bean breeding lines will be evaluated for reaction to white mold in field disease nurseries with different irrigation treatments to obtain identify new cultivars which facilitate best management practices for integrated control of white mold.