By Scout Nelson
During Panhandle's dry bean harvest, a special activity is unfolding at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research Extension. Carlos Urrea, an expert dry bean breeder, alongside his team, meticulously selects dry bean plants, targeting specific traits.
Earliness, the structure of the plant, and resistance to bacterial blight are their primary selection criteria. A closer look reveals that these beans are the outcome of four generations of breeding, encompassing pintos, Great Northerns, and cranberries. But not all beans make the cut. Those with significant blight, or those not meeting maturity standards, are set aside.
A notable highlight of their endeavor is the collaboration with Kainyon Tay from Chile's National Research Institute of Ministry of Agriculture. Tay's visit aimed to identify quality beans and discuss the interchange of Chilean bean lines. These lines, once crossed with resistant beans, offer a solution to the bean mosaic virus, prevalent in Chile.
Both Urrea and Tay participate in the international nursery, an initiative where beans are exchanged to expedite the breeding process. Through this program, beans mature twice as fast, making the process more efficient, as noted by Urrea. In fact, 30% of the bean lines were not harvested this year as they didn't meet the criteria.
The chosen dry beans have an international journey ahead. They'll be sent to countries like Chile, New Zealand, Australia, and Puerto Rico. After their global stint, the next generation of these beans will make their way back, ready for planting in Panhandle by spring 2024.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-e+fotografiabasica
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Harvesting