Bean Program; 1980 report

This review of the 1980 program analyzes CIAT"s genetic improvement and progeny evaluation activities, specific studies on Phaseolus vulgaris and eight other legumes, and the development of improved agronometric practices and new technology in farm trials. The year"s major effort was devoted to continued improvement of germplasm for genetic resistance. Common bacterial blight resistance increased greatly among entries in the 1980 Bean Team Nursery (VEF). More stable disease resistance is being investigated through regional testing for rust (Uromyces phaseoli), anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), and angular leaf spot (Isariopsis griseola) as they exhibit pathogenic specialization. Anthracnose resistance frequently increased and parents resistant to angular leaf spot were identified for future crossing. The Program"s increased emphasis on multiple factor resistance breeding has increased the feasibility of developing leafhopper (Empoasca kraemeri) resistance by eliminating susceptible lines according to visual damage scores and then selecting highly resistant lines on the basis of reproductive adaptation and yield loss data. The resistance to bean common mosaic virus, although difficult to obtain in large-seeded red genotypes, has succeeded, with all new breeding lines being true-breeding resistant. Other main areas of research included identifying drought-resistant strains, evaluating screening methods for future drought tolerance research, treating dry beans with vegetable oils to protect against storage insect pests, and testing hybrid selections in areas where low soil phosphorous is an important production constraint. Training, both short courses on bean production and longer courses to enhance national program research capabilities, remained a crucial component of CIAT"s activities. During 1980, varieties of BAT 10, 76, and 41 and Acacias 4 were planted in Cuba, Bolivia, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and a new CIAT intermediate altitude station was acquired near Popayan, Colombia. A list of Program publications and two appendices on P. vulgaris are included.