Grain Yield Performance of Biofortified Climbing Common Bean Genotypes (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Evaluated Across Different Agro-ecologies in Tanzania

Assessment study on yield performance and consumer preferences characteristics of iron and zinc fortified bean genotypes was conducted between 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons at different agro-ecologies of Tanzania. The objective of the study was to improve nutrition and income of smallholder farmers through growing and selling of high yielding and iron bean genotypes. The experiments consisted of five high iron enhanced climbing common bean genotypes namely:  MAC 44 (80.3 mg/kg), RWV (78 mg/kg), MAC9 (64 mg/kg), MAC49 (66.6 mg/kg) and Selian (35.2 mg/kg). These planting materials were planted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in Arusha at ARI-Selian farm, Lambo in Kilimanjaro, ARI-Uyole in Mbeya and in Kagera at ARI-Maruku. The sites ARI-Selian and Maruku represented mid altitude agro-ecologies, ARI Uyole (high altitude) and Lambo site is low agro-ecology. Grain yield and disease reaction scores data was collected and analysed using GenStat 15th edition software. Results showed significance difference (P≤0.05) for grain yield and diseases. Grain yield ranged from 1538kg/ha to 4314 kg/ha. Genotype RWV1129 produced 3091 kg/ha in 2014/2015 where as MACC44 yielded relatively higher (3530kg/ha than RWV1129 at Selian site in 2015/2016 season. The farmers’ participatory variety selection approach used in selecting of new improved bean genotypes depicted high yield, high market demanded, and resistant to diseases as the key important criteria. Genotypes MACC44 and RWV 1129 were the best genotypes accepted by farmers due to their high yield, and high market value.  Therefore, the study recommended them to be registered and released as nutritionally improved varieties for farmers’ cultivation and consumption thereby to relief the iron deficient vulnerable groups in Tanzania. Keywords: Climbing bean, Biofortification, Performance, Iron and Zinc DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-4-0

Pathogenicity and Approaches for Management of Anthracnose in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Africa

This research article was published by INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & BIOLOGY in 2022Common bean plays significant role for human health globally and consumption of common bean is high in Africa as compared to other regions of the world. Despite common bean’s potential in Africa, productivity remains low due to diseases, drought and poor crop management. Anthracnose disease plays major role in reducing common bean grain yield in Africa. It is caused by seed-borne fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum leading to 100% yield loss. Limited and fragmented information on fungal infection, pathogenicity and management of common bean anthracnose in Africa affects decisions regarding anthracnose management. This review has been produced to collect information regarding anthracnose disease and its management in beans in Africa, which will be of great value to bean stakeholders. C. lindemuthianum can survive up to five years in infected seeds. During this time, seed is the main source of inoculum, infection and transmission of pathogen to new locations. Other sources and mechanisms of transmission include infected residues, farm tools, water, wind, and disturbance of moist foliage by animals, insects and people. Anthracnose is a hemibiotrophic pathogen, first establishing biotrophic interactions with common bean plant before switching to necrotrophism, causing significant yield loss. Mechanical force, chemical weapons, toxins and growth regulators facilitate pathogenesis. Use of anthracnose-resistant varieties is recommended to control common bean anthracnose followed by integrated anthracnose management. Future research in Africa should focus on why farmers rely heavily on local bean cultivars as seed and should use tricot as tool to screen anthracnose-resistant varieties and evaluate anthracnose management options for increased productivity, nutrition and income

The informal seed business: Focus on yellow bean in Tanzania

This article explores the informal seed business, focusing on the yellow bean in Tanzania. The yellow bean is a major bean type traded, yet little is known about the seed supply that fuels it. The survey research in 2019 encompassed larger grain traders, informal seed traders, and retailers, covered major production, distribution and sale hubs, and was complemented by GIS mapping of seed and grain flows and DNA fingerprinting of yellow bean samples. Results showed that traders buy and sell grain and informal seed: it is not one business or the other, but both. Informal seed is an important moneymaker, representing between 15 and 40% of trader business in non-sowing and sowing periods, respectively. In the year monitored, 100% of the yellow bean seed was drawn from the informal sector, amounting to $US 4.35 million just among those sampled. Nevertheless, the informal and formal sectors are clearly linked, as over 60% of the beans sampled derived from modern varieties. Informal traders prove key for: sustaining the grain business, serving the core of the seed business, and moving varieties at scale. More explicit efforts are needed to link the informal sector to formal research and development partners in order to achieve even broader impacts

Prevalence and control of seedborne fungal pathogens of wheat in farmers saved seeds of selected locations in Northern Tanzania

Seed health testing to detect seed-borne pathogens is an important step in the management of crop diseases. Laboratory and screen house experiments were carried out at Selian Agriculture Research Institute Arusha, to investigate the extent of seed-borne fungal pathogen problems from farmers saved seeds in Northern wheat growing Zone. A total of 45 untreated seed samples of wheat were collected from farmers saved seeds in Karatu, Hanang and Siha Districts. Each sample was physically inspected and pure seeds were separated from abnormal seeds and inert matter. Seed samples collected at Siha were of high quality compared to seed samples collected at Hanang and Karatu. Pure seeds ranged from 98.2–99.2%, abnormal seeds 0.49–1.4% and inert mater 0.15–0.80%. Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Dresclera tritici, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium sphaerormum, Epicoccum purpurascers, Pyricularia oryzae and Penicilium Corylophilum were isolated and identified using blotter, potato dextrose agar (PDA) and agar plate methods. The most predominant seed-borne fungi were Cladosporium sphaerormum (9.8%), Alternaria alternata (9.2%) and Aspergillus flavus (8.7%). The lowest percent seed infection (10.5%) was recorded in samples collected at Siha District, (17.5%) at Hanang District and (20.4%) at Karatu District. The percentage fungal seed infection was higher in seed samples collected at Karatu with infection rate of 32.8% and lowest for seeds sample collected at Siha with infection of 25.4%. The overall seed infection in the region was 29.1% causing yield losses of 1.2 t/ha on average. Seed treatment with Metalaxy plus, Mancozeb and Baytan was found to increase percent seed germination by 17.2, 14.3, and 12% respectively and yield by 27.8, 20.4 and 17.8% respectively. Farmers saved seeds in Hanang, Karatu and Siha districts are heavily infected with fungi and it is recommended that they should be treated with appropriate fungicides prior planting., (COSTECH)

Why you should eat beans

This poster infographic outlines why all humans should eat beans. Beans provide protein, fiber, folate, iron, potassium and magnesium while containing little or no total fat, trans-fat, sodium and cholesterol

Baseline survey of common bean production constraints in selected villages of Babati district, Tanzania

A survey was conducted to assess common bean production constraints especially pests &diseases in three villages during March, 2013. Other areas assessed include gender profiles, land allocation issues, cropping patterns, abiotic stress levels and perception towards integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) options. Also, symptomatic leaves and pods were collected for identification of diseases. In total, 30 respondents were interviewed of which over 70% were males with average land size of 2.9acres. Average land allocated to beans was 1.87 acres with a 63.3% of farmers practicing intercropping. Most (40%) farmers used own saved seed and used both random and row planting. The perception towards use of IPDM options to manage pests and diseases was generally weak to moderate. Among the pests and diseases observed, aphids and white flies were the most common pests while common bacterial blight, angular leaf spot, anthracnose, ascochyta blight and viral diseases were the most common diseases. The incidence and severity of pests and diseases varied between sites but a slight to no variation trend was observed between participating and non‐participating farmers

Characterization of phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance in selected common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) breeding material

This research article was published in the research square, 2023Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is the major common bean disease worldwide. This study aimed to determine phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance for future use in breeding programmes. Twenty-two common bean varieties (CBVs) were planted in anthracnose hotspot fields and the same CBVs were planted in a screen house to validate resistance to anthracnose. Anthracnose infection score, leaf length, leaf width, length of fifth internode, length of petiole, plant vigour, canopy height and canopy width were recorded. Data on (i) number of plants emerging; (ii) days to flowering; (iii) days to maturity; (iv) plant stands at harvest; and (v) grain yield were also collected and analysed using R and GenStat software. Phenotypic traits evaluated differed significantly among genotypes, environment and genotype by environment interaction. Seventy-five per cent of phenotypic traits evaluated were positively correlated to anthracnose resistance. Highly-strong correlations were observed on number of days to maturity, plant stands at harvest, plant vigour and grain yield. Leaf length, leaf width, length of fifth internode, length of petiole and number of stands emerging were strongly correlated to anthracnose resistance. Based on study results, four traits – plant vigour, number of days to maturity, number of plant stands at harvest and grain yield – are recommended for selecting anthracnose-resistant varieties. NUA 48, NUA 64 and RWR 2154 were superior varieties, resistant to anthracnose and high yielding, while Sweet Violet and VTT 923-23-10 were most stable varieties across environments. Further on-farm research is suggested to assess their performance and identify traits preferred by farmers

Characterization of phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance in selected common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) breeding material

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is the major common bean disease worldwide causing complete yield loss under favourable disease conditions. This study aimed to determine phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance for future use in breeding programmes. Twenty-two common bean varieties (CBVs) were selected basing on susceptibility to anthracnose, advanced breeding lines, improved variety resembling advanced breeding lines and the farmer variety widely grown in Tanzania. Selected varieties were planted in anthracnose hotspot fields and the same CBVs were planted in a screen house to validate resistance to anthracnose. Anthracnose infection score, leaf length, leaf width, length of fifth internode, length of petiole, plant vigour, canopy height and canopy width were recorded. Data on number of plants emerging; days to flowering; days to maturity; plant stands at harvest; and grain yield were also collected and analysed using R software. Phenotypic traits evaluated differed significantly among genotypes, environment and genotype by environment interaction. Seventy-five percent of phenotypic traits evaluated were positively correlated to anthracnose resistance.Highly-strong correlations to anthracnose were observed on number of days to maturity, plant stands at harvest, plant vigour and grain yield. Leaf length, leaf width, length of fifth internode, length of petiole and number of stands emerging were strongly correlated to anthracnose resistance. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis (AMMI) revealed highest contribution of environment on anthracnose infection-58.9% and grain yield −84.9% compared to genotype effects on anthracnose infection −32.7% and grain yield-15.7%. Based on these results, four traits – plant vigour, number of days to maturity, number of plant stands at harvest and grain yield – are recommended for selecting anthracnose-resistant varieties. NUA 48, NUA 64 and RWR 2154 were superior varieties, resistant to anthracnose and high yielding, while Sweet Violet and VTT 923-23-10 were most stable varieties across environments. Further on-farm research is suggested to assess their performance and identify traits preferred by farmers

Planteome/CO_335-common-bean-traits: 1st release

<p>This is the first release of the Common Bean repository</p&gt