Increased disease resistance in native High Andean fickle beans

Executive Summary

Work was done on improving the disease resistance of Andean fickle bean, susceptible to anthracnose and common mosaic. These beans are unique in the world, appreciated for their quality. They are important in smallholder agriculture along with corn. Nurseries were created with new commercial genotypes selected through yield evaluation, adaptation between 1000 to 1800 masl and reaction to diseases. Materials of different colors were selected in attention to the preferences of farmers and consumers. The selected material was evaluated in several campaigns during two years in different locations. Gametic selection was made by molecular characterization with SCAR markers for resistance to anthracnose and common mosaic, followed by hybridizations and single, multiple and backcrosses between pathogen resistant individuals. Advanced lines with commercial grain type were multiplied and their performance was evaluated. Pathogenic diversity was characterized by isolations in several areas and four bean materials were found to express resistance to isolates confirming their usefulness for the crossing program. Marker-assisted selection allowed the resistance genes to be introgresed. Promising varieties were released from genetic seed multiplication and evaluated on farmers' farms in several areas and an ex-ante analysis of the impact of these new varieties was made. 

The technological solution

The technological solution consists in the development, via genetic improvement based on molecular characterization, hybridization and selection, of fickle bean varieties resistant to anthracnose and common mosaic. The production sector of reference is that of smallholder farming in the Andean region, which will be able to have improved varieties to achieve better yields, greater food security and higher income. 

Results

Beneficiaries

The direct final beneficiaries will be, after a process of extension and adoption of the disease-resistant varieties, the smallholder farmers in the participating countries. It should be noted that the potential beneficiary population has not yet been quantified. On the other hand, the breeding institutes and the selection of new commercial varieties have benefited from the implementation of collections of fickle bean germplasm showing resistance to anthracnose and common mosaic. 

Sustainable Development Goals

Main donors