Development of common bean varieties tolerant to high temperatures in Mozambique
The IIAM Bean Breeding Team, 2023. Left to right: Mr Nildo Nhampossa, Mr Simao Willian, Dr Bento Filipe Francisco, Dr Celestina Jochua (PI), Dr Manuel Amane.
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
Background
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In Mozambique, the major common bean production areas are located in high altitudes of the central and northern regions, where the crop is grown under rainfed conditions. However, due to high temperatures during the rainy season in southern Mozambique, beans are grown only under irrigation during the dry season in lowland areas. In recent years, the average minimum and maximum temperatures have increased, negatively affecting the productivity of common bean, resulting in a shortage of beans for food security and nutrition as well as a source of income. To overcome this constraint, there is a need of developing heat tolerant common bean varieties for these regions.
In previous projects, IIAM evaluated different collections of common bean genotypes during the hot season in Chokwe, including populations derived from crosses between tepary bean (P. acutifoliuis) and common bean. The results indicate that tepary lines may be used as sources of tolerance for heat stress for common bean improving breeding programmes.
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Objectives
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To evaluate heat tolerant common bean lines derived from crosses from P. acutifolius (tepary bean) populations preferred by consumers.
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To identify sources of tolerance to high temperature that can be used in the common bean breeding programme, in Mozambique.
Evaluation of common bean lines under farmer’s conditions in Chokwe (Feb 2023).
Evaluation of common bean lines on station Chokwe (Feb 2023).
Progress to date
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Bean lines (128) derived from crosses between common bean and tepary bean generated at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) were evaluated at Chokwe and Umbeluzi research stations in the hot season (under high temperature stress). Some of the trials were badly damaged by floods in early 2023. Data analysis is underway.
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Two trials with six selected best bean lines were planted on February 8th, 2023 in Chokwe and Guija on farmers fields for evaluation.
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Seed multiplication at Chokwe Research Station of 300 lines derived from crosses between common and tepary bean in 2022 (i); Kufuna (ii); and Tiyela (iii); common bean varieties adapted to soils with low Phosphorous content bred by Dr Jochua; field preparation for the evaluation of tepary and common bean hybrids grown in the hot season at Chokwe Research Station (iv); and at farmers' fields for participatory evaluation of sex of the best performing lines (v).
PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS
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Dr Celestina Jochua
Principal Investigator, Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique (IIAM).
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Dr Jochua leads the KT-funded bean improvement programme in Mozambique. She holds a PhD in Plant Nutrition from Penn State University, USA, and an MSc in Biological Sciences - Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA.
Dr Manuel Amane
Co-PI
Dr Samuel Camilo Salima
Co-PI
Dr Bento Filipe Francisco
Co-PI
Mr Nildo Nhampossa
Technician
Mr Simão William
Technician