Location: Grain Legume Genetics Physiology Research
Project Number: 2090-21220-003-006-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 genomic tools 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 using genomic and marker assisted selection, optimum management practices and fungicides. This work will advance efforts to develop genomic tools in development of dry bean cultivars with improved tolerance to reduce economic losses to white mold disease.
Specific objective is to develop genomic and marker-assisted selection tools to mobilize white mold resistance in black bean cultivars.
Approach:
1) Crosses between select dry black bean lines with identified genes or genomic regions associated with resistance to white mold will be performed.
2) F2 plants with favorable gene haplotypes will be identified using newly developed markers spanning the gene intervals and saved to generate F2:3 progeny.
3) Advanced progeny lines will be screened in the greenhouse and field and further selected based on targeted gene or genomic region haplotypes.