Phaseolus germplasm exploration in new Mexico and Arizona, USA, Report Oct 3 - 11, 2024

Heat and drought stresses threaten global bean production. Additional genetic resources are needed ingenebanks for future improvement of bean crops through breeding for tolerance. Thesouthwestern Sky Island mountains contain such genetic resources that have not been adequatelycollected nor characterized. Continuing the work done in 2023, a 9-day exploration in 2024 insouthern New Mexico and Arizona for wild teparies and other Phaseolus species resulted in thecollection of herbarium and seed samples of 18 populations of P. acutifolius, one each of P.angustissimus and P. filiformis, two of P. grayanus, three of P. maculatus and three of P. montanus,or 28 populations in total. Samples of nodules and soil of rhizosphere were also collected.Outcomes and ways to improve the exploration endeavors are discussed.

Debouck, D.G.; Dohle, S.; T, P.; Pratt, R.; Santos, L.G.