Courtesy of Néstor Cháves
A group of researchers has been developing a new bean variety for five years. This new resistant to terminal drought. The SEN52, called Nambi, was presented a few weeks ago.
Néstor Cháves, a researcher at the Agricultural Experimental Station Baudrit Fabio Moreno of the University of Costa Rica (UCR), said that it was developed with the National Institute of Innovation and Transfer of Agricultural Technology (INTA), producer associations and international bodies.
We work in partnership with engineer Juan Carlos Hernández (…) We are both in charge of the trials of improved breeding of the bean (…) This bean is resistant to terminal drought, which is towards the end of the crop cycle. The bean is most susceptible to drought during the reproductive stage… Then we conduct the tests and cut the water supply as it enters the reproductive phase,”
said Cháves.
The researcher explained that the idea is creating varieties according to the national producer, market requirements, illnesses or limiting conditions. The idea is to have a variety that is well adapted to the market.
According to Cháves, the effects of El Niño Phenomenon have generated losses in the productive sector of beans. Therefore, scientists have looked for ways to enhance the resources.
For new varieties of beans to reach all producers, the Technical Committees in each region are responsible for producing high-quality, commercial seeds from the foundation seed acquired in the Agricultural Experiment Station, through the local seed production project.