Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research

PSU-1, Improving Bean Production in Drought-Prone, Low Fertility Soils of Africa and Latin America – An Integrated Approach

The Pennsylvania State University as lead university           

Improving Bean Production in Drought-Prone, Low Fertility Soils of Africa and Latin America – An Integrated Approach

U.S. PIs & Institutions and Collaborating Host Countries

Lead U.S.:
Jonathan P. Lynch Department of Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

Kathleen Brown, PSU, USA
Roland Chirwa, CIAT, Malawi
Jill Findeis, PSU, USA
Celestina Jochua, IIAM, Mozambique
Magalhaes  Miguel, IIAM, Mozambique
Juan Carlos Rosas, EAP, Honduras
Soares Almeida Xerinda, IIAM, Mozambique
Rose Mongi-Henday, ARI - Uyole, Tanzania

Objectives:           

1. Develop bean genotypes with improved tolerance to drought and low P
2. Develop integrated crop management systems for stress tolerant bean genotypes
3. Understand constraints to adoption of new bean technologies, income and nutrition potential, and intra-household effects and impacts
4. Capacity Building

Problem Statement:

1. Drought and low soil fertility are principal, pervasive constraints to bean production in Latin America and Africa.
2. The vast majority of bean producers in poor countries cannot afford irrigation and intensive fertilization.
3. Bean genotypes vary substantially for root traits that determine their tolerance to drought and low soil fertility, making it feasible to increase yields in low-input systems through genetic improvement.
4. To exploit the potential of this approach, we need intelligent deployment of root traits in bean breeding programs, and better understanding of the socioeconomic and agroecological factors determining the adoption and impact of stress tolerant crops and cropping systems.

Target Outputs:

• Identification of parents, traits, and markers for improved adaptation to low fertility, drought-prone soils of Eastern and Southern Africa.
• Phenotypic profiling of root traits in regional germplasm.
• Methods developed for phenotypic profiling of root traits and web-based training materials available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
• Information generated regarding effect of P-efficient bean genotypes on soil erosion.
• Information generated regarding effect of P-efficient bean genotypes on maize intercrop systems.
• Information generated regarding interaction of P-efficient bean genotypes with locally available P sources.
• Capability of African scientists to improve root biology of beans enhanced by training and improved infrastructure.
• Policy brief on seed systems (Objective 3)
• Summary report on Objective 3 survey results
• Full report on Objective 3 survey results, focusing on constraints, intra-household impacts, and technology diffusion and bean sharing networks
• Training of IIAM CESE personnel on GIS and network systems methodologies (Objective 3).