Location: Grain Legume Genetics Physiology Research
Project Number: 2090-21220-003-007-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Oct 31, 2026
Objective:
This work will generate information and tools required to develop snap 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 snap 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 snap bean cultivars and management strategies to improve tolerance and reduce economic losses to white mold disease.
Specific objective is to mobilize white mold resistance from P. coccineus and P. vulgaris in snap bean breeding lines.
Approach:
1) The 10 best nest association mapping population sublines will be evaluated for agronomic traits and field resistance in a replicated snap bean white mold nursery at the OSU Vegetable Research Farm in Corvallis, OR.
2) Five best sublines will be selected for additional multi-location disease testing in the field and greenhouse. OSU will test these lines in a separate field white mold nursery as well.
3) Top sublines will be released as germplasm.
4) Another large genetic population, already phenotyped for disease reaction and genotyped with molecular markers will be used to identify white mold resistant genes.
5) Results from genomic prediction will be used to select lines with the best combination of QTL and missing heritability for further evaluation, breeding and release.
6) The most white mold resistant snap bean lines from this large population will be further evaluated for resistance and production traits at the OSU Vegetable Research Farm, Corvallis, OR.