Dry Beans

Michigan Dry Beans Industry Research Priorities

Submitted by:
Michigan Bean Commission and Michigan Bean Shippers Association
516 South Main Street, Suite D
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
jmcramer61@gmail.com
Phone: 989 224 1361

1. Develop and apply non-destructive sensing technologies to predict and evaluate processing and end use quality in beans. Create demand for Michigan produced quality beans.

2. Management in dry bean disease, fertility, weed control, plant desiccation and direct harvest

  • Agronomic research in nutrient management to maximize dry bean yields and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus load to the Great Lakes.
  • Determining dry bean tolerance to herbicides in narrow row and reduced tillage systems.
  • Economic impacts of direct harvested dry beans in Michigan. Not funded previously.
  • 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.

3. 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 other new market opportunities in dry beans

  • Economic Impact: Increased demand for dry beans.

4. 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.

5. Genetic Resistance and Integrated pest management system to control Western Bean

  • Cutworm, Potato Leafhopper, Tarnished Plant Bugs and European Corn Borer in Michigan
  • Estimated Economic Impact: $4.5 million in chemical application costs and yield loss
  • Not funded previously.


Priorities were determined by the Michigan Dry Edible Bean Production Research Advisory Board, represented by both dry bean growers and shippers in preparation for 2013 research proposals.

Updated: August 2015