Description

A poster presented at the 2012 Global Pulse Researchers Meeting, Kigali, Rwanda- “Transforming Grain-Legume Systems to Enhance Nutrition and Livelihoods”. Abstract: The bean breeding program uses traditional and participatory breeding methods to expand dry bean production in Ecuador. Advanced lines are evaluated by growers in CIALs under local farming conditions limited by endemic disease, pest and drought pressures. Two new bean varieties were released to farmers in the northern valleys in 2011. INIAP 483 Intag is a large-seeded red mottled type and INIAP 482 Afroandino is a small black-seeded variety released for domestic consumption, exports (Venezuela) and the local canning industry. The new red mottled variety Intag is the first to possess resistance to three important diseases (rust, anthracnose and angular leaf spot) and it is making impact into a broad area of the Intag Valley supported by the substantial outreach component of the program and the interest and need for new bean varieties in the region. The varieties were released through the process of evaluation and participatory selection with members of the CIALs in the provinces of Carchi, Imbabura and Intag. Ten tons of basic seed of five varieties was produced for distribution to growers in the region and the program continues to refine its non-conventional seed production in the Mira and Chota Valleys working with specialized seed growers.