Research Continues On Solutions for Sclerotinia

February 9, 2016
Posted in: News

Sclerotinia is a fungus that causes white mold in a number of different broadleaf crops including dry beans. It is estimated that the economic loss due to crop damage as a result of sclerotinia in dry beans is over $46 million. USDBC has been working closely with other affected crops as part of the National Sclerotinia Initiative (NSI), to find a solution to white mold as it is one of the major obstacles to increased production and yield. There is no doubt that the US bean industry will need to produce more to feed a growing world population in the long term and to satisfy growing demand for sources of plant based protein in the short term.

Along with industry partners, USDBC has participated in The National Strategic Plan for the Sclerotinia Initiative 2017-2021, providing the research community with a foundation for a comprehensive and integrated research approach toward this problem. According to the Initiative white paper, “the plan defines the actions that will be taken to solve these problems, describes what is promised or will be produced, assigns accountability for the work to be accomplished, and provides a mechanism for peer review and assessment of research progress.”

The full report and outline of research priorities is available from USDBC upon request.