Breeding Snap Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) for Large-Scale Production

The most common organic vegetable producers tend to be small entrepreneurs who spread the risk of disease, pests, weeds, and weather patterns among many different crops and cultivars. In contrast, large-scale production of organic processing vegetables cannot spread risk among crops; it is a contractual agreement with a grower, often for a specified cultivar to be harvested and delivered to a processing plant on a specific date. To achieve large-scale production that is compatible with organic standards, technology must be developed to reduce the risk and costs associated with organic production. Regardless of whether the production system is conventional or organic two of the most important constraints to large scale snap bean production in the upper Midwest, are root rot disease and nitrogen availability. In Wisconsin, the two most severe root rot pathogens are Pythium ultimum and Aphanomyces euteiches f. sp. phaseoli.  We have developed root rot resistant snap bean cultivars the seed of which can be planted in the central sands region of Wisconsin without seed treatment.   We are presently investigating the combination of root rot resistance, Entrust organic insecticide and organic fertilizer as a package for large-scale organic snap bean production.