Areas for bean research prioritized

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

by MATT MCINTOSH

With over $300,000 invested for 2013/14, Ontario Bean Growers identified insect resistance, improved plant architecture, root disease management and leaf disease management as four research priorities.

The organization noted the four research priorities in an October 25 press release.

"We want to attract more producers to grow dry edible beans, and to do that, we need to reduce agronomic risks to be more competitive with other Ontario crops," says Steve Twynstra, chair of Ontario Bean Growers, in the press release.

That same press release also announced Daryl Vermey as the new research coordinator. His task is to look for and administer research projects that fall into one of the four research priorities.

"The majority of that $300,000 has been invested in projects with Pulse Canada," says Erin Morgan, Ontario Bean Growers general manager.

Developing disease resistance to Common Bacterial Blight and Anthracnose, and the rapid detection of root rot pathogens, are a few examples of projects that received funding.

Projects like these, says the press release, will help ensure the organization meets its goals for a more profitable and sustainable industry. BF