Biotech Updates

Pinto Bean Resists Viral Diseases

January 19, 2007

A new pinto bean named “Quincy” that can resist the attack of the bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and the bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) has been developed by researchers at the United States Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Washington State University-Prosser. The cultivar harbors two genes, I and bc-22, which confer resistance to the two viruses. However, this pinto bean also has its weak spot – it is susceptible to Uromyces appendiculatus, the fungus that causes bean rust disease.

Read the news article at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2007/070111.htm.