Mozambique Institute of Agricultural Research (IIAM)

Background

​

In Mozambique, the major common beans production areas are located in high altitudes of 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 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 programs.

​

Objectives

​

1. To evaluate heat tolerant common bean lines derived from crosses from P. acutifolius populations preferred by consumers.
    

2.  To identify sources of tolerance to high temperature that can be used in common bean breeding program, in Mozambique.

Bean field in Mozambique, where common constraints to production include high temperatures, drought, low soil fertility and pests and diseases (i) Kufuna (ii) and Tiyela (iii), common bean varieties adapted to soils with low Phosphorous content bred by Dr Jochua; field trials of populations derived from crosses between common bean and tepary bean planted in November (iv- tepary and common bean hybrids on the right) and planting in December (v- only the hybrid populations survived the heat).

i

iii

Dr Celestina Jochua

Principal Investigator, University of Zambia.

​

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 Jochua is