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Technology Development
Workshop
March 5-6, Celaya, Mexico
Background
• First workshop between Mexico and
Canada to discuss current/future
collaborative research in beans
• INIFAP, AAFC, Mexican and Canadian
Universities
Background
• Topics: genetic improvement,
biotechnology, functional foods/
nutraceuticals
• INIFAP project list reviewed
• Focus: science, collaboration, deliverables
• Discussion on next steps
Proposed Projects
1. Development of bean cultivars tolerant to biotic
and abiotic stresses
2. Functional genomics and molecular marker
development for bean breeding
3. Development of slow-darkening varieties and
varieties with reduced cooking time
4. Development of functional foods from beans to
target diabetes prevention
1. Development of bean cultivars tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses
Background:
 Global climate change (prolonged droughts, high temperatures, combinations of both)
 Occurrence of devastating insect plagues such as white fly and leaf hopper
 High incidence of pathogens that cause root-rot (Fusarium spp and Rhizoctonia solani), and common
bacterial blight (CBB) (Xanthomonas campestris) will increase over the short term in bean production
areas.
Key words: genetic diversity, tolerance to adverse factors, sources of resistance .
Benefits: Development of main market class cultivars that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses will
reduce production risks and contribute to consistency in yield and quality; traditional and upright
architecture
Actions:
Short term (2007): Exchange of lists and sources of resistance. Technical exchange visits
Medium term (2008): Common nurseries: a) black bean varieties tolerant to common blight; b) pinto bean
varieties with drought tolerance
Long term: registration and multiplication of new varieties with drought and disease resistance
Risks / Weaknesses: The identified sources of resistance in Mexico may not function in Canada and vice
versa
Conclusions: Collaboration between scientists from both countries will enable the development of new
cultivars incorporating multiple resistances
Collaborators: INIFAP, AAFC, University of Saskatchewan and University of Guelph, (with IICA support)
2. Functional genomics and molecular marker development for bean breeding
Background:
Breeders in both countries have used a limited set of molecular markers linked to CBB resistance with
varying degrees of success. Development of gene-based markers would greatly facilitate marker-assisted
selection, increase the efficiency of breeding programs and lead to the development of improved varieties.
Key Words: marker-assisted selection, genetic improvement
Actions:
 short term: CBB markers and protocols currently in use will be shared
Identify current populations that could be grown in different regions to phenotype for disease
and stress reactions
Link up with US researchers working on CBB and stress tolerance
 Medium term: Develop and utilize recombinant populations specifically to map genes of interest
 Develop molecular markers linked to drought and CBB resistance to select for resistant lines
Development of transformation technology to confirm the function of specific genes for traits
of interest
 Long term: Develop QTL and gene-based markers for other characteristics related to bean quality
(slow darkening, phytochemicals)
Benefits: molecular markers linked to genes with specific functions will improve the efficiency of cultivar
development
Risks / Weaknesses: Lack of densely populated gene maps; markers may not be universally applicable
Conclusions: The application of biotechnology will enable development of new varieties, including those
with the needed genetic resistances.
Collaborators: INIFAP, AAFC, University of Saskatchewan and University of Guelph
3. Development of slow-darkening varieties and varieties with reduced cooking time
Background:
 Slow-darkening extends shelf-life of dry beans
 Consumers demand fast-cooking varieties
 Canadian and Mexican consumer interest in light-coloured beans with these characteristics
 Longer cooking time has been associated with decreased nutrition
 Canners would benefit from quicker, more uniform cooking varieties
Key Words: shelf-life, seed coat impermeability, hard seeds
Benefits: Improved market quality and greater benefits to the consumer and canners; therefore, all players in
the value chain benefit
Actions:
Short Term: Exchange of slow-darkening genetic materials particularly of light-coloured beans
Medium Term: Development of RIL populations from contrasting parental phenotypes (RILs)
Longer Term: Identify specific seed coat compounds linked to slow-darkening trait and the effect of the
interaction of light
Risks / Weaknesses: Slow-darkening trait is not easily transferred among market classes; wholesalers may
mix slow-darkening bean varieties with regular bean varieties
Conclusions: Meeting consumer demands is necessary and will benefit producers
Collaborators: INIFAP, AAFC, University of Saskatchewan and University of Guelph
4 . Development of functional foods from beans to target diabetes prevention
Background:
 Diabetes is probably the most important disease in our society due to the increasing number of
people affected and the economic burden on the healthcare system.
 Bean phytochemicals have demonstrated beneficial effects in diabetes and colon cancer in rats
 Two cultivars demonstrated more pronounced effect (Pinto Zapata and Black 8025) which vary in
phyto-chemical concentration
Key Words: functional foods, diabetes, metabolic disorders
Benefits: Development of new products that may improve health and wellness
Actions:
Short Term: Implementation of methods developed in Canada to analyze bean phytochemicas in serum
Medium Term: 1) Epidemiological study relating bean consumption and prevalence of metabolic disorders
such as diabetes; 2) Gene expression resulting in bean phytochemical synthesis especially related to
diabetes
Longer Term: Clinical studies involving obese children and pre-diabetic young adults in Mexico using dietary
intervention with existing and new FF bean products (PZ, N8025)
Risks / Weaknesses: Regional consumer preference may not be for these selected beans; transfer of results
from rat model may not apply to human clinical trials
Conclusions: Consumption of beans and bean products may prevent diabetes and obesity among the target
population
Collaborators: INIFAP, AAFC, SAGARPA, University of Guelph, University of Tor onto,Diabetes Association of
LA, IICA
Next Steps: Research
Short-term Deliverables:
• Exchange of germplasm (disease and drought
resistance, quality traits)
• Scientist visits, student internships
• Exchange of knowledge on molecular markers,
specific populations, methods/protocols
• Transfer of protocols/methods for analyzing
phytochemicals in blood
• Two joint meetings in next year (proposed: July
& October, CMP?)
Next Steps:
Administrative Support
• Complete/sign INIFAP-AAFC MOU
• Support by each government for “incountry” research
• Explore and identify funding sources for
incremental and new research costs
• Explore and decide on call/review and
approval of research projects between
Mexico and Canada
Canada Mexico
Bean Congress
Research and Innovation Session
Participants:
• 30 people
• Canadian researches, INIFAP researchers
CINVESTAV, traders, producers
Research and
Innovation Session
• Four potential projects reviewed and
discussed
• Comments received by all participants
• Comments incorporated into project
proposals
• Very positive discussion regarding
research proposals – tremendous
enthusiasm for projects and collaboration
Research and
Innovation Session
Discussion Topics:
• Traders and growers agreed that projects will be of
benefit to them
• Consider US researcher participation
• Basic research on health benefits of beans is needed
• Promotional campaign for health benefits – sound
scientific backing
• Traders indicated a willingness to participate actively in
health promotion initiatives
• Funding is key constraint to moving forward
• Must meet more than one time per year to keep
momentum going and achieve results
Research and
Innovation Session
Outcomes:
• Dr. Horacio Guzman added to Pulse
Innovation Project - Fraction Expert Panel
• Critical review and support of four projects
• Research leads identified
• Research steering committee proposed
Canada Mexico
Bean Congress
Producer Breakout Session
Participants:
• More than 50 participants
• Farmers, importers, processors,
association representatives and INIFAP
staff.
Producer Breakout
Session
• Session began with overview of equipment
used for bean seeding, fertilizer
application, harvesting and transporting
product to storage facilities.
• Good general discussion on a broad range
of topics including cost of production,
labour costs and requirements, pest
concerns in Canada etc.
Producer Breakout
Session
Priority Issues:
• Need for a united grower voice on a wide range
of issues.
– In Mexico
– Between Mexico and Canada
• Need for consistency and more frequent
meetings.
• Need for collaboration on research priorities
AND nutrition marketing strategy.
• Need for immediate recognition of funding
requirements.
Producer Breakout
Session
Outcomes:
• Agreement to formalize the Canada Mexico
Bean Producer Steering Committee
– Canadian invite for meeting of Steering Committee in
July-August 2007.
– CMP?
• Create a link between the SPF Consumption
Promotion Committee and the Pulse Innovation
Project.
Canada Mexico Bean
Congress Outcomes
• Mexican expert added to Pulse Innovation Project.
• Four collaborative research projects.
• Research leads identified and steering committee to be
created.
• Formal link established between PIP & SPF
– Bean summit?
• Agreement to establish Canada Mexico Bean Producer
Steering Committee (link between Pulse Canada &
SPF).
• Meeting of researchers and growers in Canada in JulyAugust 2007 (other opps?).
• Consensus amongst all stakeholders that funding is #1
priority.
Take home message
The Canadian and Mexican bean
industries are on the same page!
• Focus on demand through nutrition marketing
(recognizing the need to balance with production
fundamentals).
• We are interdependant. Cooperation on production
issues, research priorities, and nutrition marketing is key
for sector growth and increasing demand for beans.