Yellow bean and slow-darkening pinto advanced breeding lines were tested in the preliminary and pre-coop yield trials at two locations. The lines were evaluated for maturity, growth habits, field disease resistance, yield potential and seed quality. Significant variation was observed in the breeding lines for resistance to common bacterial blight, maturity, lodging resistance, and yield potential. The unique hot and dry growing season in 2012 offered conditions for additional stress-tolerance selection, this was especially important considering the narrow genetic basis of these beans. The selections will be subjected to evaluation in 2013. Elite lines will be entered in to the 2013 Coop Trials. In addition, large numbers of selections were made in the early generation nurseries of both bean types. Crosses were also made to improve resistance to anthracnose and CBB in these two market classes.
