The genetic basis of plant water use and drought tolerance - better beans for Africa

Water is a fundamental and often limiting resource for plant growth.

Improving crop yields under dry conditions will be crucial for food security as dry environments and seasons become even drier with climate change. Different species and cultivars show a large variation in water use and drought tolerance. Our current understanding of the underlying genetic variation is limited.

Traditionally, selection for higher yields have often resulted in increased water use.

However, recent breeding efforts demonstrate that water economy and drought tolerance can be improved without adverse effects on yield.

We will study the variation in traits related to water use and drought tolerance among Rwandan landraces of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and identify underlying genetic components.

The aim is to expand our basic understanding of the genetic control of water economy and drought tolerance in higher plants and eventually use this information for breeding more productive crops for East African conditions.

Field experiments will be combined with molecular genetic methods to study a wide range of traits related to water economy and drought tolerance. Bean is the main source of protein in Rwanda. Higher yields in dry periods would significantly improve the food security of local farmers.

The project is carried out in collaboration with the University of Rwanda and Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, ensuring capacity building in modern crop breeding.