Dry Bean Production: Achievements and Current/Future Challenges.

Among all pulses produced worldwide, dry bean accounts for 46% of the total, making it the most important grain legume. It is the main source of protein in some regions in Latin America and Africa. Countries with the highest per capita consumption are Burundi (37 kg year^-1), Rwanda (27 kg year^-1), Uganda (19 kg year^-1), Nicaragua (18 kg year^-1) and Brazil (16 kg year^-1). Production systems are diverse, ranging from large scale production in North America, Brazil, and Argentina, to smallholder farmer production in many tropical countries. With few exceptions, most dry bean production occurs in marginal lands, making even more challenging to obtain high seed yields. In spite of this, seed yields at some regions have been increased at a rate of 0.8% every year during the last 30 years. Multiple biotic and abiotic stresses are the main cause of seed yield reductions observed worldwide. In addition, stringent requirements for specific seed shape, size, and color within market classes and among and regions makes genetic progress slow. The difference between potential seed yield and on-farm yield ranges between 25 and 52% depending on the market class and region. Drought and heat remain as the main abiotic stresses while Common Bacterial Blight, Angular Leaf Spot, Rust, root rots, and Anthracnose are the main diseases worldwide. However, genetic progress has been achieved for several of the economically important diseases using genetic resistance. Recent advances in genomics and phenomics are also helping to solve the more complex multi-genic traits such as drought, heat, and waterlogging, among others.