Phil Miklas

Phil Miklas

Research Geneticist

Introduction

Research at a Glance

The ARS Bean Project works to enhance dry bean germplasm for improved disease and abiotic stress tolerance combined with agronomic performance. The three highlighted germplasm enhancements represent a cultivar release of a cranberry bean in partnership with a private seed company; the release of a germplasm line bred specifically for tolerance to white mold disease in partnership with university breeders; and two cultivar releases for new 'niche' dry bean market classes led by Michigan State University with major contributions from ARS.

The ARS Bean Project in collaboration with WSU partners are investigating the use of remote sensing images of large scale plots for rapid assessment of dry bean performance under abiotic stresses including low fertility and drought.

The ARS Bean Project contributes bean breeding and genetics to USAID projects that serve to improve bean production for small-holder subsistence farmers in Central America, Haiti, and East Africa (arsftfbean.uprm.edu).