Dry Beans
Research Priorities for the Michigan Dry Bean Industry
Michigan Bean Commission, Michigan Bean Shippers Association
Greg Varner
8439 North Blair Road
Breckenridge, MI 48615
Phone: 989-751-8415
- Genetic improvement for the identification of resistance to Michigan’s new race of Anthracnose and using a combination of genetic and genomic mapping tools to rapidly incorporate resistance into a range of different bean market classes and varieties adapted to Michigan and provide insights into breeding for durable resistance.
- Development of genetic tools, superior cultivars, and processes leading to increased usage of dry beans and dry bean products for food application, nutriceuticals, phytochemicals, health applications, and any new market opportunities in dry beans. Economic Impact: Increased demand for dry beans.
- Management in dry bean disease, fertility, weed control, plant desiccation and direct harvest.
- Genetic resistance in white mold, anthracnose and root rot dry bean diseases. Not funded previously.
- Determining dry bean tolerance to herbicides in narrow row and reduced tillage systems.
- Agronomic research in nutrient management to maximize dry bean yields and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus load to the Great Lakes.
- Organic dry bean production management.
- White mold and Root rot control management in high yield environments. Estimated Economic Impact: $4.5 million in increased yield.
- Genetic improvement in dry bean variety development for high yield, disease and insect resistance and canning quality in narrow row-direct harvest and organic management systems. Estimated Economic Impact: $10 million in loss yield, $1.35 million in chemical application costs.
- Genetic Resistance and Integrated pest management system to control Western Bean Cutworm, Potato Leafhopper, Tarnished Plant Bugs and European Corn Borer in Michigan.
Other Comments: Priorities were determined by the Michigan Dry Edible Bean Production Research Advisory Board, represented by both dry bean growers and shippers in preparation for 2018 research proposals.
Updated December 2017