Dry Bean Breeding and Genetics Research laboratory

Welcome to the Dry Bean Breeding and Genetics Lab in the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University.

Our research group is based on the idea that science and technology improve the world. Plant breeders contribute to this goal by solving problems and accelerating agricultural production and innovation.

What is our philosophy?:

We are driven by the idea that education and passion lift people to their fullest potential, and plant breeding research and innovation is the foremost way of delivering prosperity and sustainability to agricultural systems.

We work with dry beans because they are a resource-efficient and dense protein, energy, and nutrient source. They are a major component of many diets worldwide and provide health benefits to many people. In the case of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in certain countries, pulses provide 45% of the daily protein supply in children and 13% in adults. Also, they provide micronutrients such as vitamin A, iron, and zinc, which play a major role among children in the alleviation of anemia, general body morbidity and mortality, mental impairment, stillbirths or low childbirth weight, blindness, and infant mortality.

Our lab focuses on developing superior cultivars of common beans under sustainable production systems in Michigan. We use the information generated in the field to formulate new research ideas that ultimately provide solutions and technology to growers and processors while generating new knowledge.

What is our vision?:

The MSU Bean Breeding program is the standard for improved Phaseolus genetics and technology

Our research topics focus on breeding, genetics and genomics, germplasm exploration, quantitative genetics, abiotic stress tolerance, disease resistance, quality, agronomic performance, human nutrition, and sensory profile. We also work in developing high-throughput phenotyping tools for plant breeding applications.

Our mission goals:

• Release improved dry bean varieties for farmers, processors, and end-users in Michigan

• Collaborate with international partners to use research to strengthen dry bean production 

• Collaborate with the private and public sectors to increase farm productivity and sustainability in MI and USA

• Generate new useful genetic variation to address critical challenges in bean production in MI

• Conduct research in dry bean breeding and genetics and develop and implement novel plant breeding technologies

• Offer thought leadership to improve agricultural sustainability and production

• Train scientists in plant breeding and genetics across MS, PhD, and postdoctoral levels and serve as a platform to advance their careers